Proposed Mural In Old Greenwich Business District Faces Uphill Battle

GREENWICH, CT — A large mural proposed on the side of a commercial building in the Old Greenwich business district faces an uphill battle through the planning and zoning process, but there could be a path towards installing the art in a true public space.

RiseUP for Arts, Connecticut's only statewide public art nonprofit, submitted plans to P&Z last month for a 1,040 square foot mural on the exterior side wall of 188 Sound Beach Ave., which houses Black Oak Velo, a boutique custom bicycle shop.

According to RiseUP for Arts, the proposed mural would come with a total budget of approximately $32,000 or $22/square foot, and would be funded through grants, donations, and community goodwill.

In a news release this week, RiseUP for Arts said the community would be heavily involved in the planning and execution of any mural.

A conceptual photo associated with submitted documents shows a mural measuring 60 feet wide and 24 feet tall, and the words, "Greetings From Old Greenwich," in the style of a classic postcard.

The photo sparked a strong reaction from the community.

On Tuesday, the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission held a pre-application review for the proposal.

The pre-application process allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal before a substantial investment is made in developing plans, reports and studies.

Before any discussions began, Town Planner Patrick LaRow said the mural is considered a sign according to town regulations, and therefore, would be subject to certain standards that need to be met.

For example, there are regulations for the height of lettering and square footage.

More importantly, there are limitations as to displaying messages that have the intention of drawing attention to a business, and LaRow said there are federal cases that support the concept of a mural being a sign and commercial speech.

"I would love to pivot this away from a commercial building and into the public art realm. The problem for Planning & Zoning is on a commercial building, it becomes an ad for that building that's drawing attention to that building," said P&Z Commission Chairwoman Margarita Alban. "We have public spaces that could be art spaces for murals. That would be more fitting, and wouldn't raise the same concerns about signage."

Alban noted, however, that P&Z is in the process of revising its signage regulations, and would be happy to hold a workshop to get feedback from the community.

RiseUp was founded in 2012 as a youth development and mentoring program.

RiseUP for Arts was created in 2015, and since then, the group has completed over 150 mural and placemaking projects with over 50 local professional mural artists throughout Connecticut and beyond, the nonprofit said in documents filed with the town.

Matt Conway, executive director for The RiseUP Group, appeared before the commission on Tuesday night and said too much focus had been put on the conceptual photo.

He said he hoped the pre-application hearing would be the beginning of a long process to involve the community and get feedback on what any mural should look like.

"We were approached by several businesses and building owners and artists and different other community members to try and make some murals happen in Greenwich," he said. "Whether it says 'Welcome to Old Greenwich' or not, we want something that is indicative and celebrates the community of Old Greenwich. It's something people have asked for in the community. We don't just come in as a non-profit and make murals happen. This is something that was asked for."

Conway went on to say that public art can be a powerful tool for the community.

"I think it's something where Greenwich and other communities are looking to the next generation and how to make a vibrant community for folks that may not just be retiring in a community," Conway said.

During the public comment period, residents praised RiseUP for their artwork around the state, but there wasn't much support for the proposed location.

State Rep. Steve Meskers (D-150), an Old Greenwich resident who represents the shoreline, said the idea of a mural is exciting, but said it's a "complicated issue" to bring to the public to try and get a consensus on.

He suggested looking at all the underpasses along the I-95 corridor in Greenwich as possible locations for public art.

"You have many industrial underpasses which are devoid of any artistic representation or any redeeming features," Meskers said, noting that he hoped any art would reflect New England and Greenwich's history.

Alban said the CT Department of Transportation would have to get involved, and there would be obstacles with getting encroachment permits.

Old Greenwich resident Andrew Melillo wondered who would take care of the mural and make sure it stays intact in Old Greenwich if it does, indeed, come to fruition.

"If something does get off the ground, it really needs to reflect the spirit and character of what Old Greenwich is," he said. "At the same time, it's extremely large, it's extremely invasive. If we're going to have something like that be in the center of Old Greenwich, it really should be something the community can get behind."

Wing Biddle, who owns the property at 188 Sound Beach Ave., said RiseUP approached him on behalf of the tenant and asked for a suggestion "on how to make a dull, taupe-colored wall more attractive."

"I met with them, we donated some money to their cause, we said we'd donate the wall. I think they do fantastic work for communities and for the artists they represent," Biddle said.

Biddle said the public has become too misfocused on what the conceptual photo looked like.

"This is about how do we go about trying to reach agreement on what should be there? I think it would be good for the community," Biddle added. "There are a lot of communities across this country that are as nice as Old Greenwich that have beautiful community art in it. I think Greenwich could be one of those communities and it could add value to the town."

Carolyn Peterson, president of the Old Greenwich Association, said safety in the area of the proposed mural should be considered.

"It was explained it was meant to get your attention, and it would, and as one is driving out of Old Greenwich and they're looking at that huge wall... we could have another accident, and we've already had a horrible accident on that corner," she said.

Past mural projects have been controversial in Greenwich. Most recently, a pollinator pathway mural was started in 2021 and then stopped after the Representative Town Meeting questioned the process the Greenwich Conservation Committee went through in planning for and executing the project.

RTM members said they were not involved in the vetting process, and nearby neighbors were not asked for their input in public hearings.

The mural was ultimately finished and dedicated in 2022.

The town's public art policy was developed to establish guidelines for the town regarding the management of public art and installations on public property.

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan spoke during Tuesday's meeting to bring attention to the policy and the First Selectman’s Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.

The committee serves as the point of contact and acts as a coordinating agent for applicants wishing to place artwork in the public right-of-way, on a public building, or on town property, according to the public art policy.

It also establishes guidelines for managing a public artwork program, including an application process, criteria for assessing requests, requirements, associated fees, and a final agreement.

Alban reiterated her desire to pivot away from commercial buildings.

She noted that the town's Plan of Conservation and Development, which serves as a guide for development in town, calls for public art and a connection between lower Greenwich Avenue to the water and Steamboat Road.

Alban suggested that McGuigan, LaRow and Conway start a dialogue together, and Conway agreed.

"I think that's a great path forward," said Conway, who hoped to also talk about what public art on private property looks like.