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Highland Village board delays FM 2499 tunnel mural amid council concerns over vandalism and upkeep
Summary
Parks staff told the advisory board that two council members raised concerns about vandalism and ongoing maintenance costs for a proposed mural in the FM 2499 trail tunnel. Staff proposed an RFP for materials and artist proposals but agreed to further workshop the idea before bringing a recommendation back to council.
Highland Village parks staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on July 21 that two city council members expressed concerns about vandalism and long-term upkeep for a proposed mural in the FM 2499 trail tunnel.
Staff said the original plan would cover the cost of materials and solicit artist proposals through an RFP; the city would promote the selected artist and unveil the work at the annual arts festival. Council members asked whether the installation would attract graffiti and what recurring maintenance costs might be. “They had some very serious concerns about vandalism and the upkeep of it,” staff told the board.
The board discussed options including periodic refreshes, signing a maintenance schedule into the artist agreement, and installing deterrents such as lighting or cameras. Staff said a power-wash option (no paint) remained possible and that a sealer-and-paint approach would cost roughly $10,000 in the staff estimate used for preliminary discussion. Members suggested surveying nearby cities with mural programs for vandalism incidence and maintenance practices.
Action taken: staff recommended workshopping the initiative further and postponed committing city funds or executing artist contracts for the tunnel until the board could produce a clear maintenance and anti-vandalism plan to present to council.
