Murals are in the works for at least three locations in the city, gaining approvals from City Council and the Planning Board.

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The Planning Board last week approved a mural at The Mint, a six-story building recently completed along Monroe and Main streets. Commissioners heard testimony for about 30 minutes during its July 25 meeting before unanimously approving an application. Approval was necessary for an amended preliminary and final major site plan.

The mural would turn an exposed concrete wall that initially was painted white into a series of colorful geometric shapes. It would predominantly be seen from the railroad but otherwise not generally be visible.

This latest application approves two modifications to the facade of The Mint that faces the railroad tracks.  The schematic elevation illustrates the revised facade design for the northwest building elevation of the north building at Main and Monroe. Specifically, first floor facade area facing the railroad right of way had previously been approved to be clad in manufactured stone veneer and now proposed to be painted with a mural.

A picture will be hand-generated on the ground floor, featuring  a series of geometric shapes and color theories. “We think it’s a dynamic facade that’s more interesting than capstone stucco,” architect Stuart Johnson of Minno Wasko told the Planning Board. “Traveling by train at various speeds, would be  interesting.”

Jeremy Mojica, the City Council’s representative to the Planning Board, asked whether local artists were considered for the project while also noting that some graffiti already has appeared on adjacent buildings. “Hopefully, these murals will be respected,” he said. 

There are anti-graffiti coatings that could be applied, Johnson said, adding that developers met with numerous artists and ultimately, it was well accepted. “I was not privy to those discussions but ultimately they decided this one would work best.”

Developers also met with planner, mayor, and the city’s arts consultant, redevelopment director and deputy executive director. “Everyone’s see the mural and it’s generally been accepted,” Johnson said. It has the geometries that go with the architecture, as opposed to maybe being a pictorial,” he said.

.City Council approved agreements at its regular meeting in May, with owners of three properties permitting murals to be painted on their sites:

• 1588 Irving St. (AR-117-23)
• 208 Central Ave. (AR-119-23)
• 225 Elizabeth Ave. (AR-120-23) – Extra Space Storage near border with Linden.

The Irving Street and Central Avenue locations book-end Arts District Park, across the street from the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC).

The mural concept next to Rahway Arts District Park is a wrap-around design on both side walls, featuring flowering plants that are native species to Rahway, according to William George, the city’s public relations coordinator. The murals, with a tentative budget of $11,000, are expected to be completed by the end of summer with the murals ready for ArtsFest.

The Elizabeth Avenue location, near the Linden border, had been a vacant lot until construction several years ago of Extra Space Storage, a four-story self-storage facility.

“It has been determined that the application of murals to sites around Rahway will enhance the value of each site and improve the quality of life throughout the city,” according to the resolution. “The city is willing to facilitate the beautification” of the three properties “and the production of the murals.”

Earlier this year, City Council accepted a Community-Based Art Program grant through the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund a mural at The Paseo on Main Street. City Council is poised to approve an agreement (AR-181-23) at its regular meeting on Monday between the city and the owner of  owner 1491 Main St., to allow a mural to be painted on the property, the east wall of which faces The Paseo.