Grants Pass council tables $15,000 request for Redwood Alley beautification

Grants Pass City Council on Monday voted 6-1 to table a staff request to allocate $15,000 toward the Redwood Alley Beautification project, delaying any decision about funding the third and final alley activation until a later date.

The Committee on Public Art asked the council in a workshop presentation for funding to finish the alley that connects the Redwood parking lot to Sixth Street. Dana Pearson, economic development division staff, told council the committee has proposed $15,000 based on past requests for similar alley projects and that the work could include sculptural approaches or murals intended to capture the spirit of the redwood forest.

The request was presented as a proposed allocation to revenue source “LB6378,” and Pearson said previous alley projects were funded from the general fund and the lands and buildings fund; she also noted community contributions (sponsorships, donations, grants) were a possible revenue source and that matching funds would be preferred for grant competitiveness.

Councilors expressed concerns about timing and current budget priorities. Councilor Kathleen said she preferred denying the request and reviewing it later because of other funding needs. Councilor Indra said she liked the murals but worried about burdening taxpayers and suggested fundraising. Councilor Rick initially proposed allocating partial funding and directing staff to seek community contributions but that motion received no second.

Councilor Indra then moved to table the request; Councilor Kathleen seconded. The roll-call vote to table was: Rick No; Eric Yes; Kathleen Yes; Rob Yes; Indra Yes; Joel Yes; Victoria Yes. The motion to table carried by a 6-1 majority, and no funding was approved at the workshop.

Pearson estimated the alley, if funded, could be completed in 2026 or 2027 and said costs could vary depending on whether the work was sculpture-based or mural-based. She also described the typical RFQ process used by the Committee on Public Art and said a sample RFQ was included in the council packet for review.

Pearson and COPA members present answered council questions during the presentation; no further council action was taken at the August 4 workshop. The item was tabled for future council consideration.

Ending: Council did not set a date to revisit the request at the workshop; staff may bring the item back for a future meeting or workshop with additional funding options, per council direction.