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Residents urge city to save Ezra Berger murals as Harmarstown Art Center project proceeds
Summary
Dozens of residents and members of the Harmarstown Arts Center board urged the council to preserve murals by the late artist Ezra Berger and asked for clearer plans and engineering proof before demolition proceeds. Speakers emphasized the murals' cultural and economic value and requested public meetings and options to salvage artwork.
Dozens of residents and board members told the Havre de Grace City Council on Aug. 3 that plans for the Harmarstown Art Center and the proposed demolition of the building that currently contains Ezra Berger’s murals should include meaningful steps to preserve the artist’s work.
"Preserving Ezra's work has always been a part of our vision," said Bradley Ruprecht, who identified himself as a member of the Harmarstown Arts Center board. Ruprecht apologized for the project's poor communication so far and said the board will hold a public meeting to show plans and explain why structural experts concluded the walls cannot safely be preserved.
Nancy Polich, also on the Harmarstown Arts Center board, said the new center will include studios and classrooms but insisted the murals must remain central to the project. "Buildings may be replaced, but dreams live on through the people they inspire," she told council members.
Other longtime residents pressed staff and the board for technical evidence. "Show us these plans. Show us these structural engineers," said Gregory Fraser, who said he reads blueprints professionally and questioned assertions that saving the original walls is infeasible. Several speakers urged exploring partial removal, relocation, or brick-by-brick preservation before demolition.
Wayne Werner, speaking on behalf of Berger’s family members at the meeting, said the family appreciates public support and emphasized plans for reproductions and a studio to honor the artist’s legacy. "We feel that solid reproductions of his artwork, art studios, learning, and community are forever," Werner said.
The acting mayor and city staff repeatedly told commenters that the Harmarstown site is private property and that the council’s immediate role is to provide a public forum and request more information from the project's board. Council members encouraged the board to present engineers' reports and to hold the promised community meeting so residents can review options before formal actions proceed.
