Eagle Rock to get New Bus Benches This Week

Starting today, Monday, benches at bus stands in Eagle Rock will get a brand new look: The grimy, frequently tagged brown-colored plastic contraptions will be replaced throughout the week by sleek, graffiti-resistant benches made with steel and painted green.

The fresh look is part of a larger drive dating back to August 2011, when City authorities hired a new contractor, Martin Outdoor Media, to replace and maintain some 6,000 bus benches across Los Angeles, according to Mike Culver, a sales manager at the company. (The previous contractor was Norman Bench Advertising.)

“We have a year and a half to change everything,” said Culver, referring to the new benches, more than 1,300 of which have already been replaced. The benches have ventilated seats and back rests that will display an attractive floral pattern that gives the immediate surroundings a park-like atmosphere. (The floral pattern will eventually be replaced with low-profile advertising.)

The new benches will be installed on 38 locations along the following streets:

• Colorado Boulevard
• Eagle Rock Boulevard
• Figueroa Street
• Yosemite Drive
• York Drive

Headquartered in Florida, Martin Outdoor Media has been replacing 250 to 300 benches every month. “We’re moving along at a quick pace,” Culver said, adding that the new benches in Eagle Rock will be in place by the end of the week.