Volunteers converged on Genesee Street near its intersection with Water Street in Waukegan to paint a mural in the crosswalk in this 2021 file photo. By fall, people may start to see murals painted on the crosswalks along Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan at the corners of Genesee and Clayton streets, Genesee and Water streets and a few other intersections.
Artists who want the opportunity to paint the murals must submit a request for proposal to the city by July 29 on the its website to receive consideration to enhance the appearance of downtown Waukegan. Though subject to change, she said murals will be at the corners of Clayton and Genesee, Madison and Genesee, Water and Genesee, and Lake Street and Genesee. The intersection of Washington and Genesee streets was intentionally excluded.
Murals on the walls of buildings are not under consideration with this grant program. Cantin said public art on buildings must be done in collaboration with the property owner. The city owns the crosswalks and can make all related decisions itself. “We’re open working with our community partners, or people in the business community,” Motley said. “If they have ideas, we encourage them to talk to us about murals.”