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Commission presses to revive stalled Commercial Street mural project after $5,000 contribution
Summary
Commission members said funds were committed to Positive Street Art for a Commercial Street mural but work has not advanced. Staff and members discussed contacting partners and possibly asking for funds to be returned if the project cannot proceed.
Members of the Manchester Arts Commission discussed a stalled Commercial Street mural project during their meeting after staff said $5,000 had already been contributed to Positive Street Art for design work.
"We contributed $5,000 from the Central Business Service District to Positive Street Art to do a design rendering for that mural program," Jody Nuzaka, director of economic development, told the commission. Nuzaka said she has not seen design work or follow-up and that leadership changes at partner organizations contributed to delays.
Commissioners said Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and the ownership of the Fisher Cats stadium had given verbal support, and Nuzaka recalled a rough cost estimate of about $50,000 for the full mural. She said Positive Street Art had $5,000 in hard commitment but needed additional committed funds and scheduling to move forward.
Commissioners discussed writing to Positive Street Art to request return of the funds if the project will not proceed. A board member suggested a formal letter after the project sat on the agenda for multiple meetings without progress. Nuzaka offered to share contact information and prior communications with the commission, and to help re-establish commitments from SNHU and the ballpark.
Randall, previously involved with the project, was described as unresponsive to recent messages and absent from several meetings; commissioners said that gap hindered progress. Nuzaka proposed that a commission member formally "own" the project to coordinate partners and funding.
No binding decision to reclaim funds or reassign the project was recorded; members directed staff and volunteers to follow up with partners, draft outreach communications and report back at a future meeting.
