On Tuesday, the council voted 4 to 3, to see what the Commission on Public Art can come up with for proposals for a mural on the Loudoun Street entrance to the Town Parking Garage. Council members Katie Hammler, Dave Butler and Kevin Wright dissented. 

“The site was originally supposed to be built upon but since it appears it is not going to happen anytime soon I thought it would be a great place to locate public art,” said council member Kelly Burk, adding that she has spoken to local merchants and businesses who say they aren’t happy with just the plain tan wall.

“We could put a mural on the wall and that could be our first major public art project,” Burk said. “It could be really cool and it could be really innovative and I just think that this is an opportunity that we shouldn’t miss and it would be of no cost to the town.”

Hammler suggested an amendment to add the word temporary to the request. However, the motion did not pass. Councilman Tom Dunn successfully suggested that no town funds be allocated towards the project.

Umstattd said she would be open to the idea of a mural as long as it was tasteful and depicted the Town of Leesburg in some way. The Commission on Public Art will review and develop a detailed recommendation before addressing the Town Council by August 28.

Last month, Burk discussed with her colleagues the possibility of creating an art mural on the Loudoun Street entrance of the Town Parking Garage. If interested, the Town Council would refer the idea to the Commission on Public Art.