The Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) Board of Directors approved a new mural for the Business Connection during a regular, virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 6 p.m. The Board also approved funding for the NedNed and discussed wayfinding proposals.

On June 25, the Nederland Public Arts Committee (NPAC), in coordination with consultant Carissa Samaniego, released an RFQ (Request for Quotes) for an artist for a planned mural project. The RFQ closed on July 15, and 21 applications were received. This is the first in a series of murals that the Nederland Public Arts Committee hopes to install around Nederland.

Eleven applicants were determined to be local. Of this group, four artists’ scores rose to the top. Greg Marquez was selected as the artist for recommendation to the Board. On August 5, the NPAC met with Mr. Marquez to see his preliminary images and initial thoughts.

The image shown at the meeting is based on initial feedback from the NPAC received in preparation for the presentation to the NDDA. NPAC will continue to work with Marquez to incorporate feedback from the NDDA.

Board members said they loved the colors. Marquez told the Board that the 2-foot by 4-foot mural is in scale for the Business Connection. It’s more about color, with detailed animals in front. The fox will look out at the viewer. The Board is researching the option of including a plaque.

TEENS, Inc. requested special event funding for the NEDNED race. The funding would offset some of the basic costs that are essential to hosting a race for 200 to 300 people.

Timing and registration would cost $2,637. The bib for runners with timing chips would cost $114. Award medals for runners for the half-marathon would cost $2,245.71. Finisher medals for all runners would cost $600, for a partial cost total of $5,596.71.

Sue Churches said other costs the Board is seeing are for posting a race, a timer, stops and starts, and awards for people who place in the race. The DDA decided to be a $1,000 sponsor of the NedNed. This is in line with previous special event requests. The Board will discuss capping special event fund requests at $1,000, given the annual budget of $5,500.

The Board discussed giving feedback and direction to the consultants from MERJE to move forward with the Wayfinding Project. The NDDA engaged MERJE in 2020 to guide the Town in the Wayfinding project. John Bosio from MERJE gave a 15-minute presentation about the current state of the Wayfinding Project. He was looking for direction from the NDDA Board to help move the project forward.

MERJE had a series of meetings with stakeholders, including the Town and Public Works, the Fire and Police departments, and business owners on First Street and on the south side of town. From these meetings, MERJE gained insight about points of interest, potential placement of various types of signage, the idea of using a digital app or digital kiosks in conjunction with Wayfinding, and potential placement of gateway signage.

The Wayfinding Committee recommended that the Board come to a consensus regarding which sign design system they prefer, understanding that the Board may decide to combine parts of several of the systems presented. MERJE will give the Board estimates for range of costs for various types of signs and kiosks to help guide decisions.

Bosio presented four options to the Board for sign design. He also suggested adding a printed brochure, a mobile site, and maps. There are design considerations for each option. The Board liked the presentation and said they like the eye beams and the warm colors in the first option. The Board agreed to put more efforts into the digital applications.

Board Chair Barbara Hardt said this is a discussion item, so it should be brought back next month, and the Board agreed. The next steps beyond this meeting will be more stakeholder meetings and eventually public outreach to gain broader support.

The next meeting of the NDDA will be on September 8, 2021, at 6 p.m. For more information, go to https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/ Portal/ MeetingInformation. aspx?Org=Cal&Id=434.