BY SCOTT SULLIVAN EDITOR
Look for murals on the north and west walls of the Lake Vista SuperValu grocery store and under the Blue Star Bridge after Douglas City Council Feb. 7 agreed to share $20,000 worth of costs with the Downtown Development Authority to place public art there.
The DDA has approved $18,000 towards that effort.
Drawn from the city’s Community Promotions Account used for activities that enhance the community, planning and zoning administrator Nick Wikar told council, the funds will support placemaking efforts described in the DDA’s TIF (tax increment financing), Blue Star Corridor and “Our Douglas Vision” Master plans.
“Connectivity and activation of the waterfront and Blue Star Highway corridor through placemaking is vital to the downtown district,” said Wikar in an agenda memo to council last week.
The “Our Douglas Vision” Master Plan includes implementation strategies for the Blue Star/Harbor Sub Area, including to:
• Convert the bridge underpass into an activity area;
• Construct a continuous multi-use trail along the waterfront and under the bridge;
• Enhance lighting and signage at the underpass;
• Add permanent benches and murals at the underpass;
• Explore opportunities for public art displays; and
• Add crosswalk striping at Union Street crossing Blue Star.
“If approved,” Wikar told council, “the partnership and financial support will allow the DDA, private property owners and the city to finalize agreements and issue a formal request for proposals seeking submittals from artists for the two locations.
“The RFP process could proceed quickly with artisit working in spring 2022, if their schedule allows,” Wikar said.