Where’s Your Square: Ferndale Chamber’s Mural Project
(Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce Press Release, Sept. 17, 2013)
To enrich Ferndale’s culture and quality of life, and positively impact economic development in the city, the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce has commissioned local artist Howard Fridson to paint an 8′ X 20′ mural on the side of a building located at 837 West Nine Mile in Ferndale. The installation will begin in the Spring of 2014.
To raise funds for the design and installation of the mural, the Ferndale Area Chamber is seeking donations for the project by selling commemorative squares to residents and businesses in the community. A 30″ X 76.5″ replica of the mural will be installed next to the mural. The replica will have a semi-transparent overlay containing a grid of 1,000 1.5″ squares. Donors can purchase a square and have an inscription placed on it to commemorate their support.
An inscription on a 1.5” square, which represents 4.8” on the full-size mural, requires a $20 donation. Supporters can purchase multiple squares for a larger inscription or for a company logo. The inscriptions can be as simple as the donor’s name, or could be used to honor or memorialize someone.
837 West Nine Mile Road in Ferndale was selected as the site for the 2014 mural for two great reasons. First, the West Nine Mile streetscape improvement project will be completed late 2013 providing improved walkability and beautiful landscaping in the area. A public mural here will enhance these improvements and further stimulate economic development in this section of downtown Ferndale.
Secondly, the west side of this building is fully exposed to Nine Mile Road allowing great visibility of the mural as cars, bikes and pedestrians head into the downtown from the west side of Ferndale.
Only 1,000 squares will be sold. Donors will be able to choose their square location on a first-come, first-served basis and payment must be received to secure square location.
The Ferndale Area Chamber unveiled the full colored mural design and began selling mural squares at the DIY Street Fair and online sales have begun at www.ferndalemural.com.
“We just announced the project to our members on September 3rd and several local businesses are already excited to support this project,” stated FAC Executive Director Jennifer Roosenberg. “Lola’s Salon, Chess Roofing & Siding, Royal Services and Greenleaf Bodywork are some of the businesses already on the waiting list along with some individuals.”
In addition to covering the costs of the mural, proceeds from the sale of the squares will support the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and its FLIP (Facade and Landscape Improvement Program) Fund. This newly established fund will award small matching grants to member businesses to assist them with facade and landscape improvements to further revitalize and sustain the economic viability of the area.
“A welcoming, vibrant business district provides a powerful, positive impression of the community,” said Roosenberg.
The Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that has been a stabilizing entity, shaping and investing in the shared vision of a safe, prosperous and successful community since 1936. To learn more about the Ferndale Area Chamber, visit www.ferndalechamber.com.