City-backed 24x20-foot fox mural approved for Freedman Alley as part of downtown placemaking
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Summary
The Landmarks Commission approved a large mural on the east wall of 300 West Main Street (Freedman Alley) proposed by the city as part of a riverfront-downtown placemaking project. Staff said property-owner agreements and MOUs are in progress; commissioners raised minor concerns about surface prep and a coaxial cable over the wall.
Waukesha — The Landmarks Commission on Oct. 1 approved a city-sponsored mural to be painted on the stucco east wall of 300 West Main Street (the Brehm store) facing Freedman Alley as part of a broader downtown placemaking effort.
Staff described the project as part of a city placemaking plan to revitalize Freedman Alley and strengthen the connection between downtown and the riverfront. The proposed work is a painted mural roughly 24 feet wide by 20 feet high depicting a stylized fox; staff said the wall is stucco believed to be a later, non-historic surface and that the property owner has granted permission.
A city representative told the commission that the public-art selection process drew 21 applications for two mural sites; a public-art committee selected the fox mural for direct painting on the stucco wall and selected a second design to be painted on a board that will be affixed to the adjacent original façade to avoid damaging historic fabric. The city representative said property-owner agreements and memoranda of understanding are in preparation.
Commission discussion focused on technical preparation and long-term maintenance. Commissioner questions included whether the city would power-wash the wall before painting and whether a visible coaxial cable should be removed or rerouted before work begins. A commissioner asked the city to ensure the cable would not remain over the mural; city staff replied they would not paint over the cable and would coordinate to have it addressed.
Staff noted that general downtown signage is subject to sign-code standards that are stricter in the downtown historic area (for example, prohibitions on backlit signs), and that any signage proposals for the alley would be handled through the sign-permit process as appropriate.
Ending: The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness for a painted mural at 300 West Main Street; staff will complete property agreements, coordinate wall preparation (including power washing and cable removal if needed), and proceed with installation under the approved design and standard permitting requirements.