Rohnert Park Graffiti Abatement Project Sent Back to Drawing Board

About a year ago, Mayor Gina Belforte had an idea: enlist Sonoma State art students to paint murals on walls in the city that are prone to graffiti — the project would strengthen Rohnert Park's relationship with the university, it would beautify neighborhoods and it would create a greater sense of community.

But, lack of submissions and ideas have halted the project.

At a special meeting called Monday, the city's Cultural Arts Commission rejected the three artist drawings that were submitted. Commissioners said they felt rushed into making a decision, and they didn't particularly like any of the illustrations.

"I've been told from above to get paint on the walls by Wednesday — you guys are giving me a lot of trouble," said Guy Miller, the city's recreation services manager who oversees the commission. 

Miller said although Sonoma State said they were interested in partnering with the city, they're dragging their feet.

"This is the end of the semester, they want to wait until fall to do anything more," Miller said. "There's a significant pressure now to get something done."

"My inclination is to push back, and say no," said Commissioner Robin Miller. "We need more time and more submissions."

The commission decried the drawings as amateurish.

"We don't want to be pushed into a situation where we get something permanent up if we don't even like it," said Commissioner Phyllis Transue. "We'd rather have the elementary schools do it if it's going to look like like that."

The mural project, which ignited last year during a discussion point at a City Council meeting, has never been set in stone and no formal ideas were set forth as to where the paintings would be and who would paint them. According to Belforte, the city would pay the artist a small fee — "probably less than $2,500," she said.

"We're still trying to get this program off the ground," said John McArthur, director of public works. "We're looking at needy sites in the city but nothing has happened yet."

McArthur said Honeybee Pool is the only location that's been decided upon —that's where the first mural would be painted that the arts commission was charged with choosing Monday.

"I brought it up to Council because ... I thought it would be a good idea to do an art program where [Sonoma State] students would earn credit and the city would get inexpensive graffiti abatement," Belforte said. "We want to bring more arts into the community, but it's more important to get the right look."

"If the Cultural Arts Commission feels it's not right, I support their decision," Belforte said. 

The commission recommended that the city open up the mural project to all Rohnert Park schools.

"I'd rather have an elementary school like Hahn do it," Transue said.