Ogden council approves Olympic-themed mural and related public art funding

Ogden City Council on Oct. 21 approved a city-funded public art project and its implementing resolution to install an Olympic-themed mural on the west face of the parking garage along Kiesel Avenue, a connector between the Junction District, the Ogden Amphitheatre and historic 25th Street.

The mural project is intended to celebrate Ogden’s culture and provide a visible public-art landmark ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics. Planning staff told the council the project budget is $210,000 with public art funds covering up to $110,000 of that amount; staff said the city’s public-art contribution would fall to $87,500 if proposed outside donations arrive as expected.

Lori Buckley, planning division staff, summarized the project and the funding partners and said the mural will “celebrate our upcoming 2034 Winter Olympics, but also highlight Ogden's culture and identity.” Buckley said partners and donors include a Weber County grant through RAMP, Visit Ogden, Snow Basin, MarketStar and the MarketStar Foundation and that the mural will be located on the entire west side of the MarketStar parking garage on Kiesel Avenue.

The project budget and partners described to the council included: a total project cost of $210,000; a public art fund allocation of $110,000 (staff estimated the city’s net outlay could be $87,500 if all proposed donations are secured); Weber County RAMP contribution listed in the presentation as $62,050 (described as secured); MarketStar providing the building wall for the mural and offering $15,000 in in-kind value for the wall location and $2,500 in cash from the MarketStar Foundation; Visit Ogden and Snow Basin each offering $10,000; and a $25,000 public-art budget line for lighting for the panels. Buckley said MarketStar has agreed to allow the mural to hook into the building’s power and to pay a small annual fee toward the lighting electricity cost.

Council members and members of the public raised pedestrian-safety and access questions. Several speakers, including Laura Lewis and other residents, said the Kiesel Avenue edge has no continuous sidewalk and argued that if the mural becomes a selfie or “Instagrammable” destination it could put people into the travel lane because some of the garage wall panels include open ventilation bays that must remain unobstructed. Heath Sato asked whether the proposal would follow the standard public-art review process; Buckley confirmed the project will follow the standard ordinance-based public art RFQ and artist selection process.

Vice Chair Hyer moved to adopt proposed Ordinance 2025-33; Council member Myers seconded. The council approved the ordinance by roll call vote: Council member Blair, Council member Chburka, Council member Graff, Council member Myers, Council member Ritchie, Vice Chair Hyer and Chair White all recorded “Aye.” Hyer then moved to adopt proposed Resolution 2025-20; Blair seconded. The council again approved the resolution by roll call vote with the same members recorded as voting “Aye.”

Following the approvals, planning staff said the next steps are to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an artist, finalize the lighting specification, and proceed with easements and power agreements with MarketStar. Buckley told the council the mural will be targeted to reflect winter-Olympic themes while remaining “Ogden-centric” and framed to be unifying for the local community.

Public commenters expressed a mix of support and concern: several supported the artistic and economic potential of a high-profile mural tied to the Olympics, while others urged the city to study pedestrian access, sidewalk installation or other safety measures before the mural becomes a destination. Buckley and other staff said sidewalk improvements are not part of this project scope but could be considered separately.

The council approved both measures and directed staff to proceed with the standard art selection process and the technical work needed to install lighting and finalize easements.