The Idea<\/p>\n
Over the past decade or so, creative crosswalks\u2014essentially murals on crosswalks\u2014have exploded in popularity worldwide. Like murals, they transform our urban concrete jungles into massive art galleries. Yet, few artful pedestrian crossings dot our own sprawling metropolis, despite their aesthetic appeal.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s one place in Sacramento where such a crosswalk would not only enhance the street\u2019s aesthetics, but also serve a critical utilitarian purpose. It\u2019s where 13th Street meets K Street, with the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center and adjacent convention center on one side of 13th Street, and several of the city\u2019s biggest hotels and parking garages on the other.<\/p>\n
Remarkably, there is no crosswalk\u2014creative or otherwise\u2014at the nexus between these complementary neighbors that regularly host thousands of people in a single day. Without one, the site is a car-centric urban design misstep in the middle of a pedestrian-dominated block.<\/p>\n
While there is a loosely implied crosswalk there\u2014a pair of sculptures by prominent local artist Stephen Kaltenbach with a gap in between\u2014there needs to be a more pronounced marker to slow traffic for the thousands of people leaving, say, a concert or a musical, many of whom head for the Esquire building garage and its 700 parking spots across 13th Street.<\/p>\n
So let\u2019s find a way to do what even far smaller cities, from Modesto to Walnut Creek and Hayward, have all accomplished, and create the most elegant solution for patrons attending the performing arts center\u2014a crosswalk that resembles piano keys. Sure, we could choose a different design, but the beauty of the piano keys\u2014other than their pitch-perfect nod to the theater\u2014is that, with their black and white strips, they resemble traditional crosswalks, but with an artful wink. Subtle, yet sublime.<\/p>\n
The Players<\/p>\n
Creative crosswalks typically have a variety of champions, but most are initiated by the city or an improvement district. In this case, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP)\u2014which recently installed lighting features along K Street and is deeply invested in boosting the appeal of downtown\u2014would be the perfect facilitator, working in tandem with the city\u2019s public works department.<\/p>\n
The Bottom Line<\/p>\n
Pricing for creative crosswalks<\/a> varies depending on size and materials. Painted designs are less expensive, while thermoplastic markings\u2014heat-applied so they bond to the asphalt\u2014cost more, but last longer. In 2024, the city of Walnut Creek paid $21,500 to install a thermoplastic piano crosswalk in front of its performing arts center. The same year, Hayward paid $30,000 for its thermoplastic version. But Donald Bowman, president of Sacramento\u2019s Asphalt Impressions (which installs both painted and plastic crosswalks), explains that on crosswalks where vehicles don\u2019t make turns (like our proposed spot), paint is exposed to far less friction from wheels turning on it, and thus lasts much longer\u2014around five years before touch-ups are needed. His estimate for a painted crosswalk here is around $14,000. Either way, the city spent $352 million to renovate and expand the theater and convention center in 2021, making the piano crosswalk a drop in the bucket\u2014and a clear black-and-white case.<\/p>\n A piano-themed crosswalk here would be a perfect match leading to the SAFE Credit Union Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Jeremy Sykes)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Want to Learn About More Inspiring Ideas?<\/p>\n Sitting Pretty \u2013 Sun-Powered Street Benches<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Crosswalk](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/crosswalk-dji-0407.jpeg\")
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