The intersection of Esther and West 11th streets in downtown Vancouver received a makeover recently — a colorful mural of blue and green hues to prompt drivers to slow down and watch out for neighbors.
Benji Todd, a local artist and Outsiders Inn night-shift lead and peer counselor, created the large-scale street mural as part of an effort to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries, with a focus on pedestrians, particularly homeless people.
“These are our roads, this is our community, and that makes it our responsibility,” Todd said Thursday during the mural’s unveiling. “I’m assuming nearly every adult knows someone who’s lost their lives on the road, usually in an avoidable way. So anything we can do to remind ourselves of how important it is, you know, that’s worth the effort.”
The street mural sits next to the city of Vancouver’s third Safe Stay homeless shelter, 415 West. The mural displays the message: “Our Roads, Our Community, Our Responsibility.” It also depicts the Interstate 5 Bridge, part of Vancouver’s skyline and tiny homes to represent the city’s Safe Stay shelters.
