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Parks and Arts Commission pivots Liberty Lake Together funds toward murals, delays roundabout sculpture
Summary
Commissioners discussed shifting $32,500 originally allocated for a roundabout sculpture to mural projects and other carryover works after low artist response and timing constraints; several projects were rescheduled into 2026–2028.
The City of Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission on July 7, 2025 discussed reallocating $32,500 originally designated for a roundabout sculpture toward murals and smaller public-art projects after two open calls produced minimal responses.
“It's been a little challenging. The feedback has been minimal. We've put out the call twice now, and each time we've received one response,” Commissioner Laura Frank said, describing the artist solicitation results and urging caution on the roundabout piece.
Staff proposed pivoting the Liberty Lake Together art budget — $32,500 in the commission’s line item — toward mural commissions on civic restroom buildings and other projects that can be completed sooner. Commissioners identified potential targets: restroom and concession buildings at Pavilion Park, murals for Rocky Hill and Orchard Park, painted boulders at Orchard Park to reduce trip hazards, and a basketball-court mural at Rocky Hill. Laura Frank noted murals are easier to commission quickly and suggested in-studio work mounted later to speed installation.
Timing and procurement questions affected sequencing. Staff said larger projects requiring council contract approval or new site permitting may push installation into 2026; in-studio panel work could be completed and mounted in spring 2026. The commission set several carryover projects for fiscal 2026: two Liberty Lake Together murals (restroom buildings), a StoryWalk installation, and a community art sculpture (the goat proposal). Other items were postponed to 2027–2028, including Town Square rock art and a possible bronze carousel animal.
Cost references used by commissioners: the Pavilion Park mural cost about $10,000 six years earlier; commissioners estimated $32,500 might fund two murals of comparable scale, and they set a preliminary placeholder of $35,000 for combined ticket-booth/wrap work pending artist quotes. Staff and commissioners asked to confirm building dimensions and surface details before final procurement and to review past artist submissions for direct outreach rather than reopening a full call.
No formal vote was taken to reallocate the line item during the July 7 meeting; commissioners agreed to refine scope and costs and finalize budget decisions at a future meeting.
