By Brandon Bennett |STURGIS| — The Sturgis City Council approved a mural designed to celebrate the 250th birthday of America that would be located at Harley Davidson Rally Point Plaza.
The request came from Sponsorships Director Lance Schere at its meeting June 15th.
“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and in recognition of this national milestone the Coca Cola company is celebrating with nationwide public art initiative Paint the Nation Mural Program,” said Schere.
Coca Cola is planning murals in all 50 states and Sturgis was chosen for the site of the muralin South Dakota.
The mural will be custom designed with a temporary wall structure with a substrait that will hold the mural. The project is being administered by ABV agency of Atlanta GA.
The council would be asked to approve agreement and final details wld be inserted for a final approval.
“Participation in the Paint the Nation initiative will allow Sturgis to be featured as South Dakota’s representative community on the national stage,” said Schere.
The city will retain final approval for the artwork before it’s installed. The mayor will be the one who negotiates final agreements with the agency.
Scheduling would make it possible to install the mural before the Rally. The mural will cost the city nothing.
But, Ward 1 councilor Alex Usera asked what been worked out with the sponsors if Music on Main and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Schere told him there would be an impact on those sponsors and signage for some events and they’ve talked with them about relocating signage.
Ward 2 councilor Ruth Nichols asked if the mural would be permanent and Schere told her the mural would be removed after one year. But…
“Why Rally Point? Why did they specifically say they want it at Rally Point,” she asked.
Schere said it was because Rally Point is the center of the city by legendary Main Street and draws a lot of attention.
But Nichols stated she was concerned about finding the balance between people and events happening year round and the businesses and the rally.
She continued by asking if Coke has done any research on where people actually are during the rally because she’s checking into where visitors spent the most time during the event.
“I’d like to know where they spend their time and if it’s actually Rally Point because if they’re wanting to have it where it’s in front of people, I’m curious if there’s another spot where they spend more time,” she said.
She suggested tabling it until more information is gathered.
City administrator Aaron Jordan weighed in on the discussion, saying it seems the company is looking past the rally by having the mural up for year.
Nichols and Jordan traded comments over the word disruption when it comes to impacts on local sponsors of various r events at Rally Point,
” I think we can find a balance between the small businesses and big ones like Coke. Is there a way to incorporate this national program along with local events and sponsorships we have? Maybe the answer is no, then maybe the answer for the council is not to support this endeavor,” said Jordan.
Executive Director of the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau Veronica Grosek was asked her opinion on the mural and…
“We do host quite a few events at Rally Point as you know, and I believe this would disrupt how we promote our sponsors for those events but I also feel that there could be some workable solutions like Aaron said,” said Grosek.
She reminded everyone that sponsors like to have their banners up behind the band on stage and would have to find other locations for those and for the final four events, the sponsors would find it disruptive to have to relocate the banners.
In the end, Mayor Rod Bradley stated he still would like more input than what was received and facilitate that to be sure.
Ward 3 councilor Mark Chaplin made the motion to approve and it was seconded by Ward 4 councilor Terry Jensen. The motion passed 7-1 with Ward 2 councilor Ruth Nichols voting no. Final approval of the art-work will b coming in a few weeks.
