The installations were spotted at the intersection of Brazos and East Sixth streets, though not all planters had them.

AUSTIN, Texas — Metal rails and loops that mysteriously appeared atop planter boxes in Downtown Austin earlier this year have been removed, city officials confirmed Tuesday. But it’s still unclear who installed them.

The metal installations were spotted at the intersection of Brazos and East Sixth streets, though not all planters had them. According to city officials, staff removed the rails and loops on Monday, March 24.

In January, a city spokesperson told KVUE that the city did not install the rails, no permits had been issued for them, and a Transportation and Public Works inspector was investigating where they came from.

The Downtown Austin Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at working to make the streets clean and safe, also said in January that it had no part in the installations and it was also curious who added them. 

This week, the city spokesperson said it’s still unclear who’s responsible.

“Unfortunately, the City was unable to [identify] who installed the devices or for what intended purpose,” a spokesperson said.