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Leesburg Movement and town staff seek council support for Lassiter Way murals, lighting and landscaping
Summary
Leesburg Movement presented a concept and a $15,000 Main Street grant for a phased Lassiter Way beautification program; staff recommended referring murals to the Commission on Public Art and developing a CIP request for lighting in FY2027.
John, chair of Leesburg Movement, updated the council on a proposal to transform Lassiter Way into a pedestrian‑friendly, mixed‑use passage with murals, string lighting, planters and furnishings.
John said Leesburg Movement has received a $15,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Main Street program and has letters of support from economic development, town management and Friends of COPPA. He presented renderings showing painted road murals, string lights and landscaping to activate the alley and host events such as small performances or market stalls.
Town staff described technical and logistical constraints. Staff noted the murals would likely be 6-by-6 (feet) panels initially because of budget limits and recommended sending mural designs to the Commission on Public Art for review. For lighting, staff said any strung lights must be at least 13.5 feet above the roadway to allow delivery vehicles and fire apparatus to pass. Staff discussed options for mounting, power supply, attachment agreements with private property owners, the need for design consultant support, and maintenance responsibilities.
On funding, the Leesburg Movement’s grant was combined with in‑kind town support ($3,000 public works in‑kind), a $1,000 cash contribution from economic development, and potential COPPA/Friends‑of‑COPPA assistance for a call to artists. Staff recommended programming lighting as a capital improvement project for fiscal year 2027 to allow time for design, cost estimates and potential easement or electrical work. Council members noted the alley is active with delivery traffic, the alley is one‑way northbound, and parts of the adjacent parking are a mix of town‑owned and private parcels.
Council indicated a majority wanted the item placed on the consent agenda for the next meeting so staff could return a resolution; several council members said they preferred the outreach and mural components initially and that larger infrastructure work (undergrounding utilities) would be a long‑term undertaking.
The council did not adopt a final design or approve a CIP appropriation at the meeting; staff will bring revised materials and a proposed CIP budget item for future council consideration.
