ACDC to have say over murals

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

The Atlanta City Council made an amendment to its zoning ordinance Monday night that puts freehand murals on the facades of downtown business under the authority of the Atlanta City Development Corporation. 
The action came in the first reading of an ordinance that allows the ACDC directors to set application requirements for approval of future murals on downtown building facades.
During the past several months, some area businesses have utilized artist/musician James Coleman to paint colorful murals -- both inside and outside -- at the respective locations.  Coleman did not attend the meeting, but was represented by his son.
City Manager David Cockrell said the intent of the new action is not to prohibit murals, but to make sure future murals have continuity in overall design and add to the “flow” of the downtown business district.
“We thought the best way to handle this is not to preclude it or say you can’t do it, but to say that if you are going to do it, we need it to flow,” Cockrell said. “We need it to be an asset and the depictions to be something that benefits the business district and property owners.”
Before future murals are permitted on building facades in the defined business district, property owners will need to get approval from the board members of the ACDC. To receive approval, property owners will need to present an artist rendering of the proposed mural, the scale of the artwork, the colors and the materials that will be used.
Mayor Keith Crow said some people have complained about the murals and he feels having prior approval will be a positive step.
“Currently we have some people who like murals and some business owners who don’t like them,” Crow said. “This will also give the Atlanta City Development Corporation to make the decision on what should be allowed and what shouldn’t. I think it’s a good thing.”
In other business, the council”
*  Approved the low bids of $148,920 by Corrosion Eliminators for the Grandview ground tank rehabilitation project and $23,316 by Barnwell Industries for the ground tank valve project.
* Approved implementing written policies for some internal control procedures in the city’s administrative office.
* Approved a resolution calling for a general election on May 6.
* Approved a resolution supporting the application filed by Cass County communities to the Texas Department of Housing and Community for the 9-percent housing tax credits in 2017 for County Place Apartments.