DURHAM -- Downtown Durham is about to get more vibrant.

The city council approved a massive art project on the Corcoran Street parking deck during Monday's meeting. The project, which is designed by Nigerian-born artist Olalekan Jeyifous and planned by the North Carolina and Durham Art Councils, has been in the works since 2011.

The Durham Art Council says this is the first project in a sweeping public art initiative that will transform Blackwell, Corcoran, and Foster streets into an "arts corridor." This project was partially funded by a $100,000 grant form the National Endowment of Arts.

Durham Art Council executive director Sherry DeVries envisions the parking deck art as a gateway telling visitors and residents about Durham's status as a creative capitol of North Carolina.

"We're attracting people from far and wide to come and visit Durham," said DeVries. "There's already amazing cultural assets and attractions in Durham and the art wrap on the garage will just enliven it even more and make a statement."

DeVries says the artwork will be done by this summer.