Commission approves downtown mural grant after owner commits to stucco repairs

The Beautification and Public Art Commission approved a grant application Aug. 11 for a mural proposed for a downtown building after the building owner provided documentation about wall repairs. Artist Christie (applicant) attended the meeting to answer commissioners’ questions about the mural site. The commission had requested clarification about the condition of the building’s exterior plaster. The building owner, Steve Wong, submitted a letter describing how the stucco was originally applied, the surface dimensions and his plan to repair and prime the wall as a prepared painting surface prior to installation. Commission staff said the letter satisfied the commission’s concerns about the integrity of the wall. After staff presented the letter, a motion to approve the applicant’s grant request passed by voice vote with no recorded objections. The commission’s approval was for the grant application and the artist’s proposal as presented; final permitting, materials and any required building permits remain subject to standard city review. The commission did not approve any change to the building’s structure beyond the owner’s pledge to repair the surface.