Pedestrian overpass art moves forward

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council gave Vision 2020 approval to move forward with an overpass art proposal Tuesday night.

Vision member Richard Teals explained to the council how his group wants to make the Interstate 90 pedestrian overpass near Blue Heron Park more appealing using art. He said the purpose is to entice people to visit Moses Lake for tourist and water activities.

He said he needed to obtain permission from the city council before he was able to seek approval from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Teals proposed placing a banner made of nylon mesh across the chain link fence on the overpass featuring the city logo and images related to water. He did not have an image of what would be placed and plans to provide several proposals to WSDOT.

He said the sign would be about 6 feet by 60 feet and cost about $2,500. It would last three to five years.

Teals will also propose fine art pieces and painting silhouettes of water-related images on other overpasses throughout Moses Lake.

Councilmember Jon Lane said he was interested in the idea but would like to have something more permanent placed on the pedestrian overpass because the city is trying to reduce the amount of banners in the city.

Councilmember Jim Liebrecht said he was concerned someone would vandalize the banner and suggested moving it to a less accessible place on the overpass.

Lane voted to allow Teals to move forward with the project and Liebrecht seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Teals said it can take several months before a proposal is approved.