(Photo courtesy of city of Phoenix)

The Grand Canalscape Project calls for artwork, seating, lighting and other enhancements along a nearly 12-mile stretch in central Phoenix.

Work will soon begin to improve the look of the Grand Canal in central Phoenix. The City Council recently approved a $155,000 public art enhancement contract. The deal calls for the artist, Michael Singer, to create elements for shade structures, trail markers and seating, and oversee their construction and installation.

The shade structures will be placed at the Ninth Avenue and 37th Street connections to the Grand Canal. Benches will be staggered from 15th Avenue to 16th Street and 32nd Street to 40th Street. The trail markers will be located at key neighborhood connections to the canal trail.

The enhancements are part of a larger project the city calls Grand Canalscape to integrate a nearly 12-mile stretch into neighborhoods and make the areas safe for bicyclists and pedestrians.