Chamblee commission forwards San Matcha mural grant and concept to city council

The Chamblee Public Arts Commission voted unanimously July 23 to forward a mural grant application and the proposed design from the Kin family’s new matcha and bakery business to city council for final approval.

Phil Bion, owner of Kin Coffee Company, presented the proposal and said the mural would wrap from the back of the building around to the front, with a cherry-blossom tree motif intended to reflect the Asian heritage of the owner and the Buford Highway corridor. He told the panel the building is located in a qualified census tract and that the landlord affidavit is in process. "The mural will come from the back and wrap around the building all the way to the front," he said.

Commissioners and staff asked about project timelines, preparation of the brick/cinder-block surface and post-installation maintenance. Staff urged the applicant to consider anti-graffiti coating and noted standard closeout reporting for grant-funded projects. The commission’s motion—stated by a member and seconded—directed staff to forward the application and concept to city council for final approval with the grant amount described as "not to exceed $10,000." Staff said either a staff presentation or memo to the council would follow next month.

Next steps: staff will confirm outstanding application items (landlord affidavit, county tax checks), then present the package to city council for final approval.