Ann Arbor commission reviews DDA’s quarterly public‑art plans: parking‑structure wayfinding, children’s sculptures and an ‘Elevating History’ mural series

The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission on Wednesday reviewed a Downtown Development Authority quarterly update that detailed three city projects: a parking‑structure wayfinding treatment intended to lead visitors from the Ashley parking garage to the Cary Town/Farmers Market area; a 4th Avenue children’s‑book–inspired installation of banners and small bronze sculptures; and an “Elevating History” mural series honoring the city’s Black business and community life.

Chris, a city staff member presenting the DDA briefing, said the wayfinding project is designed to “shift away from traditional text‑heavy wayfindings and instead use some of the large‑scale visual art to help guide people from the parking garage … and ultimately leading people directly to the Farmers Market.” He told commissioners the selected artist team for that site includes Jesse Cassell and Gael Marshall and that the mural treatment could wrap much of the garage exterior and interior stairwells.

The commission focused questions on materials and maintenance for the sidewalk elements tied to the wayfinding plan. “I’m curious about it just because we’ve been prohibited from doing sidewalks in the past,” one commissioner said, asking whether the city will treat the art‑treated sidewalks differently and what coatings would be used. Staff said the DDA is aware of safety rules and non‑slip requirements and that winter maintenance (salt and plowing) will likely degrade surface treatments; he said he will circle back with transportation and DDA staff about mitigation and the exact materials being proposed.

Commissioners asked whether safety analytics could be collected after installation to assess pedestrian and vehicle effects; one commissioner suggested tracking before‑and‑after data to see whether painted sidewalks or murals influence car speeds and pedestrian safety. Staff said he would contact transportation staff to explore that possibility.

The 4th Avenue concept is still in an early design phase, staff said. Presentations showed banner concepts and proposed sculptural characters — bronze figures of an elephant and an owl near the library and a penguin to occupy an AATA bench — with a target of 2026 for installation, subject to project‑area construction and funding. “It’s adorable,” a commissioner said of the owl and elephant sketches; staff cautioned the work remains conceptual and some elements may be banners rather than painted façades.

The commission also reviewed the “Elevating History” mural series, which intends to honor Ann Arbor’s Black community through street scenes and portraits of businesses and civic life. Staff displayed a finalist concept by Michael Rice and identified Nicole McDonald as the selected artist for a mural on the side of the fire station facing the Hands On Museum. Commissioners asked about permissions for using images of community members; staff said the DDA used public‑domain archival photos where available and has been reaching out to families when appropriate.

Staff said timelines depend on construction windows and adjacent private development; the parking‑structure work is aimed for a fall installation window when construction season eases, and the fire‑station mural is likely to occur in spring–summer 2027. The commission asked staff to return with materials specifications for sidewalk treatments, mitigation plans for winter maintenance, and whether data collection on safety analytics is feasible. The next DDA quarterly update is scheduled for November.

No formal vote was taken; commissioners treated the briefing as an information update and directed staff to follow up with the DDA and transportation to answer outstanding technical questions.