Council directs review of Main Street Apopka contract after public complaints about mural project

After extended public comment and testimony about a Main Street‑funded mural project, the council on Sept. 3 voted to direct staff and the city attorney to review the city’s contract with Main Street Apopka, identify any contract defaults and prepare a “notice of default” for council review if warranted. The council also suspended additional payments to Main Street while staff conducts the review.

Residents, artists and downtown business owners told councilors they had been unable to obtain clear answers from the nonprofit about how project funds were spent and said the mural’s development had led to reputational and financial concerns. Main Street Apopka’s board president told the council the organization has been cooperating and that it has already paid the artist for the mural work according to its installment agreement; she asked for time to finish discussions with the artist before more detail is released.

City staff and the city attorney explained the contract contains a default/termination clause that allows the city to provide notice of default, allow an opportunity to cure and, if appropriate, terminate the agreement and recover unspent or improperly used funds. Council voted unanimously to direct staff and legal counsel to prepare a contract review and a draft default notice for council consideration; council also instructed staff to suspend further payments to Main Street during the review.

Speakers included multiple downtown business owners, Main Street Apopka leadership and residents. The council urged transparency and a quick, documented review of the contract and expenditures.

Action: Council directed staff and the city attorney to review the Main Street agreement, prepare a default notice if warranted, and suspend additional disbursements pending review.