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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Design Review Committee
DATE: August 23, 2019
SUBJECT: Title
Certificate of Appropriateness to install a mural on the elevation facing the river at 36 W. Downer Place (Ernesto Valencia - 19-0738 / AU22/3-19.127-FCOA- JM - Ward 6)
Body
PURPOSE:
The owner is requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint a mural on the elevation facing the river at 36 W. Downer Place.
BACKGROUND:
The applicant is proposing to paint a Mexican heritage mural on the brick wall facing the river by artist Pierre Lucero. The mural was already started, but the City worked with the owner and artist to have them stop work and come before the Design Review Committee and Building, Zoning and Economic Development Committee for approval. The mural features vibrant colors with Mexican heritage symbolism and will be located on the first story and a portion of the second story between two window bays.
DISCUSSION:
While this does include painting unpainted brick, a portion of the wall has already been painted. In addition, the brick wall is a simple façade with no character-defining features and the mural will not detract from any historic features. It is typically not recommend to paint unpainted brick as modern paint can decrease the brick’s natural breathability and can trap water into the material leading to cracks and spalling; however, painted murals only cover a portion of the brick wall, providing the ability for water to make its way to the unpainted bricks in order to evaporate. There is some unpainted print surrounding the mural and a portion of the brick is already painted.
The mural has been reviewed by the City Public Art Director and approved by the Aurora Public Art Commission at their August 19, 2019 meeting. This recommendation goes to the FoxWalk Design Review Committee for recommendation, and finally to the Building, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee for a final decision.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The recommendation is based on Section 8.4 "Murals" of the FoxWalk Overlay District
Design Guidelines adopted on June 28, 2016.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Design Review Committee recommended APPROVAL of a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a mural on the elevation facing the river at 36 W. Downer Place.
ATTACHMENTS:
FCOA
Qualifying Statement
cc:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Sherman Jenkins, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Robert J. O’Connor
Alderman Juany Garza