Utility boxes may get new historic look

Utility boxes on 3rd Street and an example of an historic wrap.

Fernandina Beach Main Street wants to make unsightly downtown utility boxes more attractive by wrapping them in historic themed photos.

The group is appearing before the city's Historic District Council (HDC) for approval to put the images on eight utility boxes as part of a phase one program.

"Fernandina Beach Main Street (FBMS) is providing utility box wraps with historic themes as a tool for improving the appearance of the downtown historic area. FBMS has identified 8 utility boxes as part of the first phase of this project," the group wrote on its HDC application. "Sepia tone historic photos will be used on upright boxes while historic Sanborn maps will be used on the lower FPU boxes. Photos and maps will reflect historic images from the location of each box. Each wrap will include a FBMS logo with website address or QR code to provide information on the historical image depicted on the utility box. The wrap will not be used to advertise but rather to inform and educate residents and visitors and beautify the downtown."

Main Street identified the eight boxes as:

1 FDOT 28.5 44 68 8th & Centre-Pineland Bank

5 FPU 34 34 32 side by side w/#6; N 3rd St/Color It Green

6 FPU 34 34 32 Warning Notes-can they be incorporated into design?

7 FPU 63 71 43 N 3rd between private/public lots

8 FPU 34 34 32 N 3rd between private/public lots

9 FPU 34 34 32 N 3rd between private/public lots

10 FPU 24 34.5 32 N 3rd between private/public lots

11 COFB 20 48 60 N 3rd & public parking; same box as #2

"FBMS will work with Design It Wraps, a local firm, to create the vinyl graphic wraps for the box. FBMS will be responsible for repair or replacement of any wraps that are damaged by weather, vandals, or other means," the application stated.

The HDC meets Thursday at 5 p.m. at City Hall.