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Downtown mural proposed for alley near arch; Salinas City Center group says privately funded installation planned
Summary
The Salinas City Center Improvement Association presented plans for a privately funded 110-foot mural in a downtown alley, described as complementary to existing murals; commissioners raised questions about local-artist participation, long-term permanence and use of local suppliers.
The Salinas City Center Improvement Association presented a proposed downtown mural the commission was told would be privately funded and installed after the property owner signed a memorandum of understanding.
Greg Hammer, district coordinator for the Salinas City Center Improvement Association, told the commission his organization has an MOU with the building owner and is shepherding the permit and installation process so the owner does not need to manage details. "We file the permits, I pay the fees. We take care of the insurance, the indemnification. We deal directly with the artist so that the property owner doesn't have to do anything," Hammer said.
Hammer described the wall as about 110 feet long and roughly 16 feet tall and said the project team aims to install the mural in late 2025 after permit review. The proposed artists are Evan Wilson and Eric Smiley; Hammer said they live in Monterey County and have worked in the Bay Area.
Commissioners and public commenters welcomed the additional art but emphasized opportunities for more local artists and broader representation in subject matter. Commissioner comments included requests that the commission and the Association explore ways to prioritize Salinas-based artists, to consider contracting local suppliers, and to include a wider range of community stories beyond agricultural imagery.
Hammer said the project is funded with district assessment dollars and grant funds raised by the nonprofit district—he described the funding as private (assessment and grant sources) and not direct City general-fund expenditures. He also said the MOU includes language describing a multi-year placement but acknowledged there is limited recourse if a future owner paints over or removes a mural.
Several commissioners suggested piloting rotating or residency walls to create opportunities for up-and-coming Salinas artists, and community members offered to help mentor or manage smaller projects and application processes for artists seeking work.
No formal commission action was required or taken on the mural during the informational presentation.
