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Lapeer DDA approves mural design, agrees to fund project if city declines grant support
Summary
The Lapeer City DDA/Main Street board approved a mural design for the back wall of the downtown theater and voted that the DDA will fund the project—estimated at $12,000—if the city commission does not authorize grant or city funds.
The Lapeer City Downtown Development Authority/Main Street board voted to approve a mural design and to proceed with funding if the city declines to apply grant or city funds to the project.
The board approved a motion to back the mural design recommended by the placemaking committee and then approved a separate motion stating that, if the city commission decides not to use grant or city funds to cover the mural, the DDA will move forward and fund the project at an estimated cost of $12,000 to be completed in late summer 2025. Both motions were moved, supported and carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: the mural would be installed on the back wall of the downtown theater (referred to during the meeting as the PICS/picks theater) and is tied to grant funding that must be spent within a fiscal deadline. Board members said they were concerned about the timing for design approval, artist availability and the grant’s spending deadline, and discussed backup funding and design tweaks before voting.
Board members said the artist for the proposed mural is Crystal Cook, who is currently out of state and told the board she is available to begin work in September or October. The board noted MSHDA grant funds are implicated; meeting remarks specified that MSHDA dollars allocated through the city must be spent before the end of the fiscal year (June 30), and that the mural timeline is constrained by that requirement. Board members said the parks department is the city entity that holds the grant funds and that the design and final funding still must go to the city commission if those city or grant funds will be used.
Design debate: several board members said they supported the design concept but wanted adjustments. Board member Jill (role: board member) said she was concerned about the artwork’s coloring: “it’s too brown... it’s very muddy. The contrast isn’t there and it’s really brown.” Other members suggested increasing contrast or adding more color and noted the design can be tweaked after approval; the placemaking committee’s recommendation was described as unanimous in favor of the current rendering with minor color/lighting adjustments.
Logistics discussed included the mural surface (described as a plaster coating on the back wall), seasonal weather constraints for exterior painting (board members noted paint adhesion requires consistently warm temperatures and the artist’s preference to work in late summer/early fall), and possible locations and wraparound onto the stage-facing wall. The board discussed alternatives for paying the estimated $12,000 cost, including drawing from DDA funds, seeking sponsorships or other grants, and contacting the community foundation.
The board read two proposed motions before voting. The first motion authorized the DDA to move forward with the recommended mural design; the second motion committed the DDA to funding the mural—if the city commission declines to use the grant or city funds—at an estimated $12,000. Both motions passed by voice vote.
Next steps: board members said the design may be refined with input on lighting and color before the city commission review. If city/grant funds will be used, the board must seek city commission approval because the grant is administered through city departments. If the city commission declines to use the funds, the DDA intends to pursue its stated backup funding plan.
