Council picks Senior Activity Center wall for DIA Partners public-art mural

The Fraser City Council voted to designate the Senior Activity Center building facade as the site for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Partners public-art mural.

Why it matters: the DIA Partners program provides a local benefit tied to the DIA; partnering municipalities receive artist resources and modest program support to create site-based public artwork. The selected location influences visibility, maintenance and program design.

City staff explained that they had previously discussed McKinley Park and another restroom wall, but DIA staff and council members raised concerns about brick texture and the long-term appearance of paint on certain masonry. In the meeting several councilmembers favored a larger, more visible canvas — the Senior Activity Center wall facing 15 Mile Road or the wall adjacent to the fire bay — where the finished mural would be seen by more passersby.

Council adopted a resolution that updates the earlier designation and names the Senior Activity Center wall as the preferred site. Staff said next steps include a community input survey and coordination with DIA to select an artist and finalize design details; the DIA program provides a partner benefit (stated as a modest program contribution) that the city will supplement if necessary to meet scale or maintenance requirements.

Ending: Recreation staff and the designated council liaison will work with the DIA and local stakeholders on the community survey and artist selection. Council asked staff to return with a community-input summary and artist proposal.