Historic board recommends Rotary mural panels to city council

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted on April 23 to recommend that City Council approve two aluminum mural panels proposed by the Punta Gorda Rotary as part of the organization's centennial project.

Dan Betts of the Punta Gorda Historical Mural Society presented sketches showing two panels highlighting the Rotary's charter members, local projects (including Habitat for Humanity), the Rotary Anniversary Beach at Ponce De Leon Park and other community activities. Betts said the panels would be aluminum so they can be removed and preserved if a building owner later repaints the wall; he estimated the total project cost at about $13,000 and said the building owner of the ACE Hardware location has agreed to host two panels on the west wall.

A board member moved to recommend the panels to City Council and another member seconded the motion. Chair David Perry called for a voice vote and members responded "aye." The board did not record a roll-call tally during the meeting; staff noted the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for its consideration.

Why it matters: The mural project is a low-cost public-art installation intended to celebrate the Rotary's community service and to place removable panels where future building changes will not destroy artwork. The board's recommendation advances the project to the council review stage.

What's next: Staff will place the board's recommendation on the City Council agenda; the council will review and vote on the proposed mural permit and any required site approvals.