Monday, May 19, 2003

By Timothy McNulty, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Pittsburgh City Council approved an ordinance today banning graffiti from the Eliza Furnace Trail between Downtown and Greenfield.

There has long been confusion among city officials and graffiti writers as to whether graffiti is allowed on walls along the biking and hiking trail. The measure council unanimously approved today prohibits graffiti along the trail and says council has to approve any other "no enforcement" graffiti areas that are created in the future.

Debate over the graffiti measure followed the usual art vs. vandalism theme.

"I like artwork. I'd be happy to see it," said sponsor Alan Hertzberg. " . . . But there's no place for lots of what you're seeing down there [on the trail]. It's just vandalism and crime."