Council hears grant-backed plan to restore Maplewood Theater letters, add mural and update city signage

Staff presented three executive capital requests on May 6 that are grant-dependent: restoration of neon letters from the old Maplewood Theater, a historical mural in the theater walkway, and phased municipal signage updates tied to the city rebranding.

Staff said the letters from the 1926 Maplewood Theater (the same year Route 66 opened) are currently held by public works and that the city will pursue grants this summer and fall to refurbish and mount the neon letters in the 7100 block as gateway art. The presenter described the project as a “welcome to Maplewood” element and said staff will apply for grants that specifically fund Route 66-related projects and historic sign restoration.

The presenter said the second grant-dependent item would create a timeline mural inside the walkway where the theater stood. Staff plans an RFP for an artist, describing the project as a public-art, placemaking effort that would be fully grant-funded if awards come through.

Separately, staff described a rebranding project budgeted for a $40,000 comprehensive initiative, and a separate capital request to update boundary and monument signage across the city. Staff proposed splitting the municipal-signage implementation cost across two fiscal years at $45,000 per year to align with the brand rollout and to unify signage across parks, city hall and entry points.

Staff emphasized that both the restoration and mural projects are grant-dependent and would move forward only if the grants are awarded. The council asked about funding sources; staff confirmed the capital items would be paid from grant awards if received. No formal council funding decisions were made at the May 6 work session.

The presenter said the rebranding work will include public input and development of a new tagline as part of the comprehensive process, which is scheduled to begin in July if funded in the adopted budget.