Detroit City Council Rejects $215K Payment For Downtown Murals

DETROIT — Detroit City Council said they will not pay for murals that were painted on several privately owned buildings in the downtown area because they didn't approve the project.

The council voted 8-1 Tuesday against paying Street Art Mankind Corp., a New York City-based nonprofit, $215,000 for the murals, which were painted on six buildings by international artists to help beautify downtown before this spring's NFL draft.

Council members said the city's Planning Director, Antoine Bryant, told the nonprofit organization to paint the murals without approval from city council.

"The work began and finished prior to any engagement or approval from the city," Bryant said. "I directly go against the narrative that there is rogue activity occurring."

Detroit's Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett told council members that a lawsuit would likely be filed against the city and that a judge would likely force the city to reach some kind of settlement with the nonprofit. Mallett encouraged the council members to approve the contract and avoid any legal issues.

The murals are located at 1020 Washington Blvd., Grand River and West Elizabeth, 2115 Cass Ave., 2310 Cass Ave., Cass Avenue and Clifford and Cass Avenue and Sproat Street. The murals are part of the nonprofit's "Be The Change" art walk that is inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.

Patch reached out to the nonprofit and will update this story when we hear back.

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit's downtown areas around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza from April 25-27. The NFL Draft has become one of the most anticipated sports events of the year, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world.