The City of Burien has received a one-time $200,000 grant through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund a new public art initiative that will bring 12 professionally created murals to commercial corridors throughout the city.
According to the City’s Economic Development Division, the funding will be used to beautify commercial areas, strengthen community identity, and encourage both residents and visitors to explore Burien while supporting local businesses.
The mural project will be completed in partnership with Urban ArtWorks, which will create and install 12 high quality murals at several locations throughout Burien.
City officials said the initiative is designed to make Burien a more inviting destination by creating vibrant public spaces that encourage people to “visit Burien for the art and stay to support our businesses.”
The one-time ARPA award is intended to support placemaking efforts that enhance the city’s commercial districts while promoting economic development through arts and tourism.
More information about the Tourism Murals project is available on the City of Burien’s website at burienwa.gov/TourismMurals.
Curious to see how many people/residents think a mural will make you visit, buy and stay longer in the shopping/eating areas of Burien? Answer in comments
I’m not sure that it would necessarily make me stay longer, but it makes for a vibrant, good-looking city that feels welcoming and somewhere I would want to come to for eating and poking my head into some shops. That and being clean really make a downtown area walkable and visitable (a made-up word).