As I was driving thru town the other evening the sun was shining at such an angle that it lit up those murals located downtown on Ludington Ave., as if they were neon. You all know the ones, boxing in the vacant, soon to be, weedy lot.  I'm not an art snob and I do like abstract images, which I create myself as part of my hobby of photography. However the location and the style of those murals makes me think that in order to appreciate art, the location of art should be considered. The type of art exhibited on those buildings is more in the style of graffiti and is much more suited to places like Detroit or on the side of R/R cars. I can appreciate the time and effort put into creating those images and there definitely is artistic talent displayed in the artwork. Those murals do not really speak for the citizens who live in Ludington but more for a juvenile gang banger crowd. This type of art can be found all over crumbling inner cities and in my opinion fits in well at those venues, but not in a touristy family oriented town. On a recent trip to Detroit I managed to capture some image of the local art work there. As far as I can see there's not much difference between Detroit's taste in art and Ludington's.

The following images were taken in Detroit near "Mexicantown" 

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Very true description Willy. Exactly what I've thought of that mural here in Ludington--looks like railcar graffiti. Does anyone know who did the art or how it got there? Is it scheduled for demolition soon?

The mural you show was originally crafted by Andy Thomas of AM Galleries and Starving Artist Breweries fame.  The one across the way from that was outlined by Thomas and Scott Bentz and then painted in 2014 by a FNL crowd, this side was painted afterward, primarily by Thomas.  I am intrigued by the artwork, but it does seem somewhat out of place and contrary to the other historical murals on walls throughout the city.  In a way, I prefer this over seeing a crumbling brick wall, but I can also see how some might see it as distracting and outre.

In that same area, I continue to look for signs that they may be building the low-income housing development, while seeing nothing, nor do I see any recent indication over the internet that developer Bob Jacobson or Morris Street LLC (and several other LLCs he has created) has moved on this at all since July 2017.  It looks as if he's not getting enough subsidization by the state. 

My opinion is also that this graffiti-style collage is an absolute eye-sore. It looks like the welcome mat for a heroin party. 

Well with the time the city extended to the bowling alley block developer and considering that the development might never go through having the buildings pre-graffiti might have been an inadvertent stroke of genius.

Sort of pre urban blighting the area.

I am more concerned with the funds that will be borrowed to construct the new fire station if this deal falls apart.

Will the funds be returned to the borrower if this deal falls south? Or will the city council press on regardless for the new fire station?

Will the city be borrowing an additional half a million dollars to finish the fire station?

Will the vacant buildings remain an eyesore on the edge of the city downtown?

Should they be razed? Will an abandoned block be more attractive?

Maybe they can put up a big sign claiming that this will be the future home of equal opportunity low cost apartments as long as we can get funding on the empty lot. Put in a big thermometer display like they do for United Way.

Maybe if they leave the building standing they can repurpose them into a summer time homeless shelter for the unfortunate locals down on their luck rather than having them camp in the woods somewhere.

After all what is a little more debt gonna hurt.

What are a few more borrowed millions on a declining population with inadequate incomes than what the city has all ready committed its residents to pay. What is the current tally? $40 million? $45million?

Good post shinblind. Sarcasm at it's best.

Just noticed earlier today in the October 2, 2017 DDA minutes that no less than John Shay said "the Bowling Alley block site plan review was last week. There will be a 12 month construction period. A site plan review meeting was completed for the new fire station as well. Activity with the bowling alley block should commence in the next 6 weeks."

Six weeks would have been November 13, 2017; being that it has been over six months since that target date with no 'activity' being seen yet and nothing between being released to the public, maybe, just maybe, there's a problem.  With Spence, Heather, and Johnny working tirelessly on this project, I'm sure it's fine.

Some very interesting observations and also questions by shinblind and others too. And I too remember that Shyster Shay said that last October, and nothing has come of that false statement yet either. I like the historical murals much better, like the soldier with the Medal of Honor, and that steam carferry on S. James St. too. Those have character and significance that I appreciate. As for the ones pictured above, that is ghetto murals imho, and serve no substance to the area outside of druggies and gang members. As for the developers possibly losing their funding, I also thought the Shyster and others told us all last fall all of that money was approved to go forward. Did they lie to us? And yes, if the $1.2 Million grant is approved, like it was for several other projects, it will NOT be returned, but applied toward other projects, like some of the recent road repairs the COL made last fall. I think they should return when projects fall thru and aren't proceding as planned.

Good points Aquaman and X.

Aquaman

They will probably allocate the funds to the underfunded City of Ludington pension fund.

While $1.2 million won't go far it is a start to the $11,000,000 shortfall. 

After all they have their investment in themselves to protect.

And it is curious that Shay wants to jump ship to a city with a more fiscally sound pension fund.

With all due respect shinblind, how did you come to the conclusion any funds not returned would be applied to the COL pension fund? You have some inside info.? Cause if we go by past history, back a ways, and to last fall, they never did that to my knowledge, so why start now? But, I honestly think that would be a good idea, but I don't see where the Shyster would recommend that.

With the sale of the current fire barn being in limbo why would the city ok borrowing a little more than half the amount to construct a new fire barn?

And where will the money go in the interim amount of time?

I was speculating Aquaman which is why I used the word probably.

They could also use the funds to further the development of the  West End Scheme.

Or the Splash Pad.

Or Legacy Park. 

For all I know they might believe a good use is to repaint the water tower again.

Or construct new docks at the city marina?

So much slush that needs funding.

The thing is how will they account for these funds in the meantime?

Do you really trust them do the right thing?

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