Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Arts Commission fast-tracks student-designed bridge mural, conditions approval on safety review
Summary
The Lexington Public Arts Commission approved a Phase 1 application to install a 12-by-6-foot student-designed mural on a concrete slab adjacent to a bridge in Ottallower Park, approving fast-track art work but asking Parks & Recreation to review and address potential guardrail and safety code issues before painting.
The Lexington Public Arts Commission on May 5 approved a Phase 1 application to paint a student-designed mural on a 12-by-6-foot concrete slab adjacent to a bridge in Ottallower Park, but conditioned the approval on a Parks & Recreation review of the bridge’s safety and code compliance.
Destiny Cornett, volunteer coordinator for Parks and Recreation, told the commission the project is a collaboration with Breckenridge Elementary students — two teachers and roughly 5–7 fourth- and fifth-grade students — and an adopting business, Trane, which will supply paint. Cornett said the plan is a white base with student-chosen colors and native-Kentucky animal designs; she described a rendering and said students would help paint the design on or about May 28.
Commissioners pressed applicants on durability and safety. One participant who said he is a civil engineer warned that a drop-off near the bridge may exceed 30 inches and require a guardrail; Cornett said she would refer the concern to the maintenance team and to Parks and Recreation for review. Another commissioner suggested consulting staff and previous city projects that painted concrete panels near stormwater intakes to learn about durability and environmental precautions; Cornett said she would pursue those contacts.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the Phase 1 application and to fast-track the art portion with the explicit condition that the applicants and Parks and Recreation examine the bridge for safety and code compliance. The motion was seconded and the commission recorded a voice vote in favor. The commission asked the applicants to follow up with Parks and Recreation on any required repairs or guardrails before painting and invited the project team to share a formal invite with the commission.
The commission’s action was limited to site approval and the art plan; Cornett and the applicants did not request commission funding. Next steps recorded in the meeting were coordination between the applicants and Parks and Recreation on any necessary safety work, and a plan to proceed with the student painting once Parks and Recreation confirms that the site is safe and compliant.
