The programme, dubbed Atlantis, intends to put art in place of eyesore in order to further Budapest?s standing as a European city which radiates a fresh culture, said deputy mayor János Schiffer.
The areas in question include the underpass at Nyugati train station and rows of vacant store fronts along Rákóczi Street, one of the capital?s main thoroughfares.
Already, the city council has invited applications for plans to improve the appearance of the floor and columns of the underpass. Bids will be accepted from both professionals and amateurs until May 31. The winner will receive a cash prize of HUF 400,000. The city has allocated HUF 5 million for the project.
The city council also plans to put works of art in vacant store fronts along Rákóczi Street as well as Kossuth Lajos Street. However, this project may be problematic because of the difficulty of cancelling lease contracts, Schiffer noted.
In autumn, the city will call a tender to decorate the stations of Budapest?s fourth underground line, which is still in the planning stages. The art in the stations should reference the area around the station.
