Pro Mural, But Not Keen On Location

EDITORIAL - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - Although I agree and endorse the concept of developing Downtown Ironwood Murals, I don't believe the first chosen location is the best location to initiate such a program. Currently, Jerry Taplin, owner of the former News Record/City News Stand Building, on the corner of Suffolk and McLeod Avenues is pushing to have a "Miners Memorial" mural painted on the southern facade of his building. The proposed mural will be painted by the same artists that created the murals in Downtown Ashland.

The muralists are skilled artists and their work is extremely professional. Having them on board is a great thing, but like I say... I can name many other buildings that would be better suited for the first of its kind in Ironwood.

Here's why I wouldn't opt for the first mural to be located on the Taplin Building. The southern facade of the Taplin Building is not in bad shape. It has recently been rennovated and it certainly is not an eyesore. The building's front facade needs work, and nothing would be better for the downtown than to have our store fronts fill up.

The Taplin Building is located on McLeod Avenue. Our first mural should be highlighted on our main street. It should be showcased and embraced. The success of the entire mural program depends on the public's response to the first one placed. McLeod Avenue doesn't get the traffic volume Aurora Street (our main street) receives, and the whole purpose of the mural program is to help promote the Downtown and Ironwood's heritage. Also, the southern facade of the Taplin building is in relatively good shape. It seems to me that a mural would best be suited on a building that is in disrepair or has an unattractive or extremely plain facade.

My personal choice for the first mural would be the southern facade of the Pine's Cafe (shown above) -- the side of the building that faces Ironwood's Pocket Park. The Master Gardners do an excellent job every year grooming and maintaining the Pocket Park, and it is a place we can all be proud of. It is a showplace, of sorts, for Downtown Ironwood. The poor condition of the Pocket Park's backdrop -- the Pines Cafe's southern facade -- actually takes away from the beauty of the Pocket Park. The Park's central location is also a plus for the City. If a "Miner's Memorial Mural" were to be created and installed above the Pocket Park, it would tie in the downtown with the soon to be constructed hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing trail and Memorial Park. In addition, a visitor's map could be located in the Park highlighting significant features, area businesses, and other attractions in the downtown area.

My second choice for a mural would be on the Hurley side of the Silver Street/Aurora Street Railroad Bridge. A colorful historical mural along that bridge could serve as an attractive invitation for area visitors to Downtown Ironwood. Other options I would pick over and above the Taplin building include:

The Ahonen's Ashland Court Garage Building - Sitting on the top of the Aurora Street entrance to the downtown, it would be an ideal location for a beautiful mural.

The Former OK Auto Parts Building - The western facade of the current St. Vincent's building would be a better choice for the first mural. Once again, visibility and location are better.

The Pool Hall Building - The former Michigan Employment Security Commission building is not exactly attractive. It is centrally located and it would be seem by many more people than it would be at the Taplin Building.

Ben's Place Western Facade - Both of Ben's Place facades are exposed and would be good candidates for murals. It would be nice to see outdoor cafe's created at both Ben's Place and Joe's Pasty Shop some day.

Lahti's Building - Both facades, eastern and western, would be good candidates for murals.

Joe's Pasty Shop is also a better candidate for a mural. It's centrally located downtown and it is a mainstay business for the district. Joe's Pasty Shop is a destination for many tourists and former residents when they are in town visiting.

Eastern Facade of Ben's Place - Another opportunity for a mural! Ben's, like Joe's is a place that is well known and respected in the downtown district. Many people would see the murals if they were located on the main street. The more visible the murals are the better the support for them will be.

The Western Facade of the Ironwood Theatre - Such a large canvas could be used to portray some of the larger mining structures in the area. Maybe it could capture the magic of Copper Peak. Once again, the options are there, and the building is a better choice in my opinion.

Woodtech's Storage Building - Although it wouldn't be my first choice, it would be a good candidate for a facelifting mural. Many travelers pass the building and it's boarded up windows aren't exactly attractive.

The Wall Adjacent to Chief Oil Company - This would be a good option for a mural. It is located in the "heart" of the downtown and it would a good place to show off the muralists' artistic talents.

Eastern Facade of Warehouse Next to the Memorial Building - It makes more sense to showcase a mural on the ugly building next to the City's most impressive landmark than to cover a building that is not in bad condition like the Taplin Building. Many people visit our City Hall and it would be a nice place to add some capital improvements.

The Eastern Facade of the former Superior Education Building - This building's facade is an eyesore to passersby. It is much more visible than Taplin's Building, and I would favor this location -- although not my first choice by any means -- over the Taplin Building.

The Eastern Facade of the Elle Steven's Building - Although it is in very good physical condition, it is not exactly the most interesting building in town. It makes more sense to locate a mural on that building, in my opinion.

The purpose of this editorial is not to hurt or offend anybody, and if I was overly critical in my comments, I apologize. It's just that I see many better opportunities to dress up Ironwood than the one being proposed by Jerry Taplin. Eventually, nearly all of the buildings downtown will feature murals if the program catches on. I just hope the organizers of this effort reconsider their first choice, as it certainly isn't the best.

Jim Albert