TITLE: Title
Mural Update - End Racism Now
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Town Council to receive an update on the Town's pursuit of approval to allow an 'End Racism Now' street mural to be painted in the street right of way for Laurel Avenue adjacent to the Town Commons
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Patricia McGuire, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org, 919-918-7327
INFORMATION: The Council approved at the June 23, 2020 meeting to move forward with using Black Lives Matter and End Racism Now as messaging in an upcoming mural. On July 14, the Council authorized up to $5,000 to be used to support the installation of a mural with the text End Racism Now on Laurel Avenue from the FY 21 Non-Departmental operating budget. The Council also authorized the submittal of a request to the Federal Highway Administration. Development of specifications and a detail illustrating the street mural have been underway. A letter requesting approval was submitted on Friday, August 14th. The draft layout showing the letter heights and location (attached). The letters are 16 feet in height, approximately, leaving space for pedestrian routes and designated parking along the Town Commons
The time frame for this request could be longer or shorter than the Town's recent experience (approximately 2-4 months) with requests for approval of the use of markings already specified in the MUTCD. There is not a standard process for this request and there is some uncertainty that approval would be granted. Non-traffic related painting in the roadway is considered to have the potential to compromise safety of roadway users. We've worked to identify specifications related the size of letters in relation to the use of the street overall and the amount of paint and the color, type and slipperiness of the paint to indicate the Town's awareness of the traffic control signage and safety concerns and the duty of the Town to maintain the roadway in a safe manner...
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