The Truman Mural and Trails Mural project is comprised of two murals which will be placed on the Independence Square. Each mural is made up of eight hand painted panels. Both murals will be eight feet tall by thirty-two feet wide when installed. The Truman mural depicts the life and accomplishments of President Harry S. Truman. The Trails mural depicts the history of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails, which all began at Independence, Missouri, the “Queen City of the Trails.”
This project began as an initiative of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on the Arts. The Commission requested City staff to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the design of the murals in May 2019. It was originally anticipated that the two murals would be placed on the bridge underpass at Delaware Street and US 24 Hwy. However, due to the COVID19 pandemic, funding for the project was reallocated and the project was halted. The project was able to move forward once a Square TIF District Façade grant was obtained to provide funding for the project. Two business owners on the Square have agreed to allow the murals to be installed on their building façades.
This ordinance would provide authorization to obtain two façade easements for the installation of the Truman and Trails murals.