Chambana Sun

Stranger Reduction Zone -- a traffic-light shaped sculpture that greets visitors to the library in different languages -- by Timothy Flood was acquired by the City of Urbana Public Arts Program and is now next to the south entrance of the Urbana Free Library.

Debuting in 2014 by the non-profit Public Art League (PAL), it was brought back after positive feedback on an online survey to become part of PAL’s permanent collection. Urbana residents and art supporters Jack and Virginia Waaler made it possible for the piece to stay in Urbana.

“Stranger Reduction Zone is a wonderful celebration of Urbana’s diversity,” Pauline Tannos, public arts coordinator at the city of Urbana, said. “The Urbana Public Arts Program is thrilled to keep the sculpture, and to work with PAL to continue bringing high-quality artworks to the community.”

The Stranger Reduction Zone joins Fanfare by Shawn Morin, located outside The Iron Post at the corner of Race and Elm Streets; Spirit Tree and Falling Leaf, both by John David Mooney, on the northwest side of the City of Urbana Building; and Byways to Equality by Preston Jackson, located at King Park in the permanent collection and five pieces throughout the downtown area which will only be in Urbana until the fall.