Here's what the mural looks like so far
A massive mural promoting Colorado Springs as home to Olympic dreams has turned out to be a bit of a squeeze play.
The taxpayer-funded project on the roof of a downtown warehouse is big, but apparently not big enough, to properly promote the United States Olympic Committee.
So, it appears the painter working on the project has downsized some of the letters.
“The letters are severely out of proportion to each other,” said another local painter who asked to remain anonymous.
“Look at how skinny the ‘T’ is compared to the original artwork. Even some members of City Council should be able to spot that sour note! They ought to insist he do it over, and correct it, before he gets paid,” the painter said.
Here's what it's supposed to look like
City spokesman John Leavitt said the mural, which the City Council commissioned with the hope of having it completed before the U.S. Women’s Open, shouldn’t be judged just yet.
“The mural is a work in progress and shouldn’t be judged until it is completed,” Leavitt said in an email. “All work is being supervised by the designer, and they are comfortable with the progress.”
The mural is located on the east side of Interstate 25 between Bijou and Cimarron.
That’s OK, we only paid for a temporary mural…
I can’t imagine why this is important…to anyone
Great job! Good decidin’, City Council!
We should probably spend more money on it!
The City of Sacramento received $1,000,000 up front and $750,000/year for 25 years from Clearchanel Outdoor for their three signs.
The City of Colorado Springs gets ZERO from the two signs from Lamar in this deal.
Can things get any dumber at the city council?
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/26748/City_Council_seals_billboards_deal_with_Clear_Channel
besafe,
Just for clarification, Lamar Advertising is not involved with the mural. Lamar donated two billboards to the city.
Daniel
The painter apparently works on it for maybe a couple of hours each day. I drive by it all the time and see no progress.
Another reason we’re a second-rate town.
I thought it was just graffiti …
@James – Well for one, it’s been brutally hot up until these last few days. And you can’t work on a wet metal roof either. Prime hours are limited. Otherwise you end up with all kinds of paint issues.
What I don’t understand is why the city gave the painters so little time to get this up before the Women’s US Open. Seems that nobody planned for contingencies here.
I’m sure everyone flying 30,000 feet above Colorado Springs will look down and go “wow, let’s go vacation there!” What a joke. Except it’s our money.
Who did this piece of “Art?” I want my money back!! A poor job executed even worse!
Put this right up there with stringing sheets over the Arkansas River. Ug.
Par for the course for this backwards hillbilly cowtown.
How hard is it to “plan ahead” and measure out each letter, so each one is the same width?
I’ve seen better workmanship at 3rd grade art shows.
Not all of us know how much taxpayer money is going into this project, Daniel, so it would be helpful to have that mentioned as part of the story. It would also be helpful to know who on council supported and opposed this expenditure, since it’s obviously a blunder. I saw it from the nothbound lanes of I-25 the other day, but just barely, since the guard rail was blocking the view, but I wondered whether anyone can even see it from the southbound side, which raises the question of whether anyone actually bothered to drive by first and confirm that it was plainly visible. I guess the city has money to burn these days. And here I thought we were in a budget crunch.
surelyjones,
The cost of the mural is an estimated $21,500, including $19,000 for the painting costs and $2,500 for Vladimir Jones to “provide oversight” on the project.
The council voted 8-1 to approve this expenditure. Councilwoman Angela Dougan was the only “no” vote.
These are good questions. I’ll include the answers and more in tomorrow’s story.
Daniel
[...] and partner at Vladimir Jones, an advertising and marketing agency that is providing oversight of a massive mural being painted on the roof of a downtown building to promote Colorado Springs as the home of the [...]
I hope large birds poop on it!
This is what we get for 56 million in tax dollars ? I would love to spit in Lionel Rivera’s face along with all of the other council members that voted to give the USOC tax dollars. Makes me sick.
Probably a republican saving and bilking the city on some paint.
Thanks for the follow-up, Mr.Chacon. That is a lot of money for a city that had trouble watering its parks last year. And it appears that Angela Dougan, as the only “no” vote, may be the only one who doesn’t end up with egg on their faces. I for one am getting tired of being embarrassed by city leaders. This new group seems no better — and may actually be worse — that the last one.
If it is too hot to work on it during the day, then light it up and do then work at night. This painter is working better hours than a banker does.
surelyjones,
I talked to Councilwoman Dougan earlier this afternoon. The council had approved spending up to $33K for the mural and temporary signs, so she’s concerned that some of that money is being spent to pay people to hold signs at the U.S. Women’s Open — she learned about it through a story in The Gazette — and the $2,500 for Vladimir Jones to “provide oversight” on the mural. She said she’s going to raise questions at Monday’s council meeting, so stay tuned.
Daniel
Really –”spit in Lionel Rivera’s face”– I take that as a NO on both paying $40-50M for the USOC and the idea of the banner.
That’s certainly descriptive, and reflects an oft- repeated sentiment in the community.
Nero fiddled as Rome burned, we paint as our kids search for a safe place to play…
@ Angela Keller – you’re confused. This is an entirely separate matter.
the grafitti looked much better .
The sign and the USOC are a disgrace to our city.