Board of Architectural Review recommends Lassiter Way murals to town council

The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review voted 5–0, with two members absent, on Aug. 6 to recommend that Town Council support a mural project planned for Lassiter Way.

Leesburg Movement organizer Erin Austin told the board the effort is state-grant funded and seeks to add two murals “at maximum 10 by 6 feet” at each end of the alley to draw pedestrians between Market Street and Loudoun Street and to improve lighting and safety. “My name is Erin Austin. I'm here with Leesburg Movement, a fairly newly established, mainstream organization here in town,” Austin said during the presentation.

Preservation staff and board members discussed practical issues including paint permanence, snowplow impact and coordination with public works. Staff said the town has investigated materials and consulted other Virginia towns with similar projects. Board members said they were comfortable recommending the concept without seeing a final, superimposed image of the art, but requested that final permitting follow normal town processes.

Julie Pastor moved that the BAR recommend council support the Lassiter Way mural project; Helen Aikman seconded. The motion passed 5–0, with two members absent.

The board recorded conditions and follow-up steps: final permitting and any road-closure requests would be handled by the town and by the applicant, and the preservation manager would receive material or placement details as part of the normal permitting process. The BAR emphasized that public works and the town’s lighting plan will be used to address safety concerns cited by some business owners.

The recommendation now goes to Town Council for final approval and any required permits. The BAR will not be approving final mural artwork; council and staff review will follow the BAR’s recommendation.