Dawsonville DDA discusses multiple mural projects; seeks quotes and fundraising plan

The Downtown Development Authority discussed a series of proposed public‑art projects aimed at linking historic preservation and downtown placemaking and asked staff to obtain cost estimates, confirm property owner permissions and explore fundraising or grant matches.

DDA members reviewed three ideas: repairing/touching up an older mural behind the Circle K on property owned by a local businessowner; potential enhancement of adjacent wall space (owned by Appalachian Armory) with owner permission; and a larger “Stories of Dawsonville” timeline mural on the wall left of the Food Lion patio area intended to tie history, oral histories and the Main Street Park experience.

Amanda Edmonson said the artist who originally painted the well‑known mural, Audie Murrell, will provide a quote; Murrell gave a rough ballpark of about $6,000 for a repaint, though no firm estimate was yet available. “He threw out there roughly ballpark, you know, something around $6,000,” Edmonson said. Board members discussed starting fundraising locally and contributing a seed amount from DDA funds, with the expectation that community donors, property owners and potential grant matches could cover remaining costs.

Board members flagged two issues staff should resolve before spending DDA funds: confirm written permission from all affected property owners (the DDA had spoken with Mr. Bailey, who said he would be willing to allow work on his building), and an agreement on ongoing maintenance so that any DDA contribution does not subsidize a private owner’s neglect. Members discussed modest initial DDA contributions (examples discussed included $500–$1,000 as seed money) and the idea of donor recognition incorporated into the mural design. A specific funding request or grant award was not before the board; members asked staff to return with formal quotes, property agreements and a proposed fundraising plan at the next meeting.