Council authorizes grant application for downtown “Welcome to Fergus Falls” mural

The Fergus Falls City Council voted to allow the Public Arts Commission to apply for a Lake Region Art Council legacy cultural and heritage grant to fund a downtown mural intended to read “Welcome to Fergus Falls.” Lee Smaltz, who identified himself as a member of the Public Arts Commission, told the council the project aims to create a placemaking focal point and boost foot traffic downtown.

Smaltz said the commission has secured permission from the property owner for a north‑facing wall at the Union and Lincoln intersection and has gathered preliminary cost estimates in the range of $9,600 to $12,500 to complete the mural. He told the council the commission is asking only for authorization to submit the grant this week; if funding is awarded the commission will return with a schematic and seek council approval of the final design.

Council members asked whether the mural would require a sign permit and whether it would cover existing storefront features; Smaltz replied the mural would sit lower on the wall, would not cover the marketplace area and, in prior cases, some murals had been treated as artwork rather than signage. Discussion noted the Benson building mural was a private project and not overseen by the Public Arts Commission.

A motion to authorize the grant application was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The council chair directed staff to place related design approval later on the agenda if the grant is awarded, so the commission can return with visual schematics.

The Public Arts Commission will proceed with the grant submission; council action recorded this morning is limited to authorization to apply.