Staff member says Freeman Alley mural project moving forward, pending weather and bids

At a Waukesha City meeting, a staff member said contracts and site approvals for the Freeman Alley mural project are in place but painting will wait until warmer weather.

"They're not gonna be able to paint till the weather is nice, especially the 1 on the wall," the staff member said, adding that the project team has "an agreement from the owner of 300 West Main Street ... so he signed off" on mirrors selected for the installation. The staff member said the Thomas Press Building is next on the list for design solicitations and that dimensions will be sent to selected artists to develop proposals.

The staff member outlined procurement needs for signage and other site work, saying, "We need it by by code to get 3 quotes," and that projects above a certain price threshold must go out to bid. They described ongoing work on contracts and "behind-the-scenes" structure for the sign and other elements, and said activity should accelerate "once the weather warms up."

The staff member estimated the first mural could start in spring — mentioning April or May — but cautioned timing depends on lingering winter weather. The transcript did not identify which governing body was meeting; reporting refers to a Waukesha City meeting and to speakers by role because the transcript does not provide formal titles for those who spoke.

Next steps noted in the discussion include finalizing remaining artist contracts, securing the required bids or quotes for sign work, and soliciting designs for the Thomas Press Building site.