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City of Stuart board approves Matilda’s Building mural and $3,000 CRA matching grant
Summary
The Community Redevelopment Board approved a conditional-use permit for a mural on Matilda’s Building at 15 Southwest Flagler Avenue and authorized a $3,000 matching grant from the CRA. The board added a condition that the artist improve the legibility of the word “Stuart.”
The Community Redevelopment Board of the City of Stuart voted unanimously to approve a minor conditional-use permit for a public mural on the southern wall of the Matilda’s Building, 15 Southwest Flagler Avenue, and to award a $3,000 matching grant toward the project.
Jordan Pinkston, CRA program manager, told the board the application meets the city’s public-art and notice requirements and said the mural — titled “Welcome to Stuart, happiest seaside town” — is proposed at about 18 by 14 feet and will be visible from Confusion Corner and Flagler Avenue. “The application has met both requirements,” Pinkston said, adding that the artist is Cynthia Santos of Chalk and Brush Muraling & Sign Painting and that the property owner will be responsible for maintenance.
The board’s approval included three conditions: that the project comply with the attached mural rendering, that the property owner maintain the artwork, and that the artist adjust the design to make the word “Stuart” more legible. The Arts Council of Martin County had recommended the third adjustment; the board incorporated that recommendation into the motion.
Kristen Barr, representing property owner Dana Small, read a statement from Small describing her 25 years in Stuart and asking the board to approve a colorful, photo-friendly mural that “fills the wall in its entirety and brings a splash of color to the landscape of downtown Stuart.” Barr said the owner had invested in exterior improvements to the building and that the proposed mural would complement the storefronts.
Board members raised design questions about background color, the use of local flora and fauna motifs, and whether the mural’s palette reflected Stuart’s identity. Board member Bonnie praised the design as “a breath of fresh air” for downtown, while others urged staff to confirm that any small changes respect the mural as proposed and would be reported back if major adjustments were needed. Pinkston confirmed murals under the program are sealed and are expected to be maintained for a minimum of five years.
After deliberation and friendly amendments, the board approved the conditional-use resolution by roll call. Vice Chair Moser, Board members Laughlin, Scherer, Monero and Chair Breckville all voted yes.
Shortly afterward, the board approved a separate but related resolution authorizing a mural matching grant under the CRA program. Pinkston told the board the grant reimburses 50% of project costs up to $3,000; the Matilda’s mural’s total estimated cost is $21,836, and the owner requested the maximum $3,000 match. That grant authorization also passed by roll call.
The board did not require additional design changes beyond the three conditions; staff will coordinate with the artist on the legibility adjustment and will return to the board if substantial revisions are proposed. The resolutions recorded were the conditional-use resolution (O2-2025CRB) and the matching-grant resolution (O7-2025CRA).
