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Proposed Olympic‑themed mural on Keesel Avenue seeks $210,000, with support from county and Visit Ogden
Summary
Lori Buckley proposed a $210,000 Olympic‑themed mural and lighting package on Keesel Avenue to boost downtown placemaking and Olympic visibility; funding pledges include $110,000 from the City public art fund and $62,500 from Weber County, with other in‑kind and potential contributions noted.
Lori Buckley presented a public‑art proposal to the City Council on Oct. 14 for a large Olympic‑themed mural on Keesel Avenue designed to link the Junction shopping district, the Ogden Grand Theatre and 25th Street.
Buckley outlined a $210,000 budget and a partnership funding model: "The city public art fund will be encumbering $110,000 towards the project," she said. She reported a Weber County grant of $62,500, MarketStar providing the wall location and about $15,000 in in‑kind value for parking garage use, $2,500 from the MarketStar Foundation, and a $10,000 contribution from Visit Ogden; she said Snowbasin may contribute $10,000 but that remains uncertain. The budget includes $25,000 for wall upgrades to support lighting.
Buckley said the mural would avoid Olympic trademarks such as the rings and would instead present an "Ogden‑based" Olympic theme, with artists selected through an RFQ/RFQ process involving the arts advisory committee and key stakeholders. She described pairing the mural with a cable‑mounted lighting installation and a ski‑lift‑chair photo pad to increase foot traffic and provide a social‑media photo spot.
Council members questioned technical and streetscape issues — including cable engineering and potential sidewalk additions — and suggested coordinating the mural with nearby lighting and private‑property owners. Buckley said some engineering and easement negotiations are complete or underway and that she will return with funding approvals and an RFQ process once the Council confirms funding.
No formal vote was taken at the work session; the item will return for funding authorization and final site/artist selection if Council approves encumbering the public‑art funds.
