The community boosters on the Envision Woodward committee are raising funds to repaint the Woodward Centennial Mural in the downtown plaza. The 33-year-old mural will get its refresher this spring or summer, with the work done by its original artist, Dennis Adams of Woodward.
Envision Woodward is collecting private donations to cover the cost of paint and the labor, and the Woodward City Council at its Feb. 8 meeting approved funding up to $2,000 for scaffolding and a lift.
The issue of a face lift for the mural, which commemorates the 1883 founding of Woodward, was first raised at the Oct. 12 council meeting by council member Craig Dehoet. The council discussed insurance and safety for the repair project.
The mural is on private property owned by Kathy Butler of Woodward, but the repainting will be done on property owned by the city of Woodward.
“It would be set up on city property,” Woodward Mayor Brian Devick said, “so it would be under our insurance anyway. Even though we don’t own the building the mural’s on, all the work is on city property where it’s being done.”
DeHoet reported that Anthony Bellizzi, with Veenstra and Kim, the city’s engineering consultants, suggested the city take a sample from the mural’s original coat of paint and have a lab analyze its lead content.
Donations for the restoration can be made to Envision Woodward at the Earlham Savings Bank, 217 S. main St. in Woodward.
