Last week, the Grand Rapids’ Community Development Committee approved agreements with both the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Neighbors of Belknap Lookout neighborhood association, known as NOBL, to bring a new mural to the retaining wall that overlooks the I-196/U.S.131 interchange.
“That retaining wall was put into effect in 1982 and, at that time, the Belknap neighborhood, they put a mural on that. Over the years, there’s been graffiti on that wall and the art is no longer salvageable.”
That mural, designed by artist Russ Brown, depicts the city’s history from its founding in 1826 to 1930, featuring Louis Campau, often noted as one of the founders of Grand Rapids, his wife Sophie, as well as early civic leader Charles Belknap. The mural also features a horse-drawn fire engine and a Grand River steamboat.
MDOT will maintain the wall, the neighborhood association will care for the mural. NOBL Director Kristina Colby explains.
“What’s fun about this wall is that it was NOBL who had a public art committee who helped facilitate this mural back in the ‘80s, so through this agreement, to be able to bring it back to NOBL in our new 2025 committees to do this work again in a new way that’s collaborative is a great opportunity.”
NOBL will oversee artist selection and artwork design through a community-led process. Currently there are no funding requirements for the city. Work is expected to begin this summer.
