Argyle Streetscaping project has paint problems

The Argyle Streetscaping project is facing some of the very same problems as a pair of new socks going through the wash: the colours are running and it's beginning to fade in spots.

The pattern was laid down on the popular downtown street last week as part of a plan to close the road to vehicle traffic from Thursday evenings through Sundays during the summer.

• PHOTOGALLERY: Argyle Street paint project

But by Monday, some paint looked to be wearing off. In other places, it appeared green was washing away and pooling along sidewalks.

The green residueis from the paint application last week, according to Brenden Sommerhalder with the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

"They used a sprayer and some of the particles washed off to the side," he told CBC News. "The green colour was a little bit stubborn for us. So we noticed there was some patching going on."

Sommerhalder said the green paint was fixed Sunday with rollers and paint brushes instead of a sprayer.

But the paint also appears to be wearing in some areas.

"Streets are not perfectly even surfaces and level surfaces," he says. "So as they're applying different pieces, there are some depressions in there. As it dries, it can bubble and flake away."

The paint for the project cost about $17,000,Sommerhalder said. Theprice includes both paintthat has been applied, along with what will be used in a future project.

"In the fall time, when the temporary sidewalks are removed, we're going to come back and fill in the pattern so it doesn't look half complete."

Even with the issues, Sommerhalder says he's is happy with how the Argyle Street paint project has turned out.

"Street painting is not a perfect science," he says. "It looks pretty good from our perspective. If you get down and inspect it with a magnifying glass, you're going to find some speckles. You're going to find some spots.

"Really, it's the experience of the shared street that we're trying to get across. The paint is just one component of that."

Sommerhalder said there's not been a lot of wear from foot traffic. But if there is, it will be a sign of success.

"If the paint goes away a little bit, it's because people are dancing in the streets."