Kenai parks director hopes to bring mural costs and artist options in January

The Kenai Beautification Commission took up a stalled idea for city murals at a work session Tuesday, without a vote. Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best hopes to bring artist options and rough costs to the commission in January.

Best named three sites with blank walls that could work: the rec center, the Greenstrip and the Multi-Purpose Facility ice rink. His memo suggests starting with the Greenstrip shelter or restroom, calling murals "a new process for the City." No design has been chosen, and Best said any mural would need to go through a public process.

Best expects a mural would fall under the city's special projects category, for projects under $35,000, which would require verbal quotes from three artists. He wants answers by January, ahead of submitting special projects in February.

A little over a year ago, a muralist gave Best rough numbers, but Best said he never followed up. He has since left a voicemail and hasn't heard back yet.