Mural project under discussion for 280

U.S. 280 drivers could soon have a new piece of art to brighten their drive along the corridor.

At the Jan. 27 Mountain Brook City Council Meeting, Creighton Tynes of the Magic City Mural Collective requested to paint a mural on a retaining wall on U.S. 280 across from Birmingham Water Works. The wall was originally built to hold up the embankment in the late 1960s and now bears a faded scene.

According to its Facebook page, Magic City Mural Collective is a group of artists and designers who aim to elevate the aesthetic presence of Birmingham, reflected by its buildings and walls. The group recently worked with REV Birmingham to pain a mural with the former tourism slogan “It’s nice to have you in Birmingham” on a building in Woodlawn.

According to City Manager Sam Gaston, Amy Pleasant had previously sought to paint over the outdated art on the 280 retaining wall but got held up due to complications from Alabama Department of Transportation traffic control requirements.

Council members told Tynes they liked the idea and requested he come back to the council with more specific ideas and a budget proposal, which the collective intends to fundraise for. Council members suggested a naturalistic scene and cautioned against using words.

To learn more about Magic City Mural Collective, visit mcmcbhm.tumblr.com or facebook.com/mcmcllc.