Graffiti artist spreading love of President Ford | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A graffiti artist has been marking a Grand Rapids highway with his or her own tribute to President Gerald Ford.

The artist has spray painted a figure of Grand Rapids native President Ford under the bridges linking southbound U.S. 131 to eastbound I-196, also known as the Gerald Ford Freeway.  No one has come forward to claim the marking.

The Michigan Department of Transportation plans on removing the stenciled painted within the next few weeks, but isn't in a hurry to do so since the graffiti is not distracting and is not negative or offensive.

John Richards, MDOT spokesman says, "We are big fans of art here at the department, but unfortunately it has to come down, because there are enough distractions for drivers to deal with."

But Kendall College Art Professor, Jay Constantine says, "I don't think it's graffiti, but a thoughtful image and tastefully done."

He says 'street art' helped to improve blighted areas in New York during the 1980's and even the East Hills Neighborhood here locally.

The city of Grand Rapids also has ordinances against such graffiti. Both MDOT and the city agree, President Ford is turning heads in a place where eyes should be on the road.