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Council backs Nature at the Confluence bird murals with $25,000 hotel‑motel grant
Summary
Presenters from a local Audubon chapter and Nature at the Confluence described a two‑mural public art project and the council approved $25,000 in hotel‑motel funding toward the estimated $25,000 total cost for the murals and associated programming.
Representatives from the Rockford Audubon extension and Nature at the Confluence presented a plan on June 16 to install two large bird murals in South Beloit and requested city support. After the presentation, the City Council approved $25,000 in hotel‑motel tax funds for the project.
Julie Yeran, executive director at Nature at the Confluence, said the organizations have worked more than a year with city staff on site selection and artists. Jennifer Kuroda, who said she is with a Rockford chapter of National Audubon, described the National Audubon Mural Project and the Rockford program’s experience mounting murals, hosting mural walks and drawing regional visitors.
Why it matters: presenters said the murals would both celebrate local wildlife (one mural focuses on a bald eagle near the confluence) and act as a public‑art attraction for mural walks and related education programs with local schools.
Project and funding details: - Project scope: two murals — a large mural (planned on a main building visible from Durabl) and a smaller dye‑bond panel covering windows or siding at Nature at the Confluence. Artists named as committed in the presentation: Justin (surname not given) and Brett Whitaker. (Presenters provided artist references and sample work images.) - Cost and grant requests: presenters estimated total cost for the two murals at about $25,000. Yeran said an application was filed requesting the maximum available award of $10,000 (per application) and that the project team would pursue additional fundraising and in‑kind support. At the June 16 meeting council voted to approve $25,000 from the city’s hotel‑motel fund for Nature at the Confluence’s request. - Partners and outreach: presenters said the project plans include student involvement through Blackhawk Elementary and programming with the Whooping Crane Foundation for community education tied to the mural unveiling.
Quotations: Jennifer Kuroda said the project is “very near and dear to my heart” and Julie Yeran said the partners “feel really confident with this plan that we’ve put in front of you.” Both were part of the presentation and fielded council questions about materials, durability and timeline.
Outcome: Council approved the hotel‑motel funding request (motion seconded and recorded by staff) and asked staff to coordinate grant reporting, artist scheduling and public engagement. City staff noted hotel‑motel funding rules and confirmed the request met eligibility requirements.
Ending: Presenters said they will pursue additional grants and in‑kind support and will work with city staff on scheduling, sign permits and a public unveiling.
