South Ward Alderman Sam Habeeb looks on as Mayor Robert Walker and North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young hold up a mural proposal painted by Martha Ferris for City Front. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[02/27/01] Vicksburg officials received 10 proposals Monday for a mural planned for the floodwall at City Front, including three from local artists.

Artists from around the state submitted renderings of their ideas for the 57-foot brick wall along Levee Street at the foot of Clay. Local artists who submitted designs were Kennith Humphrey, Martha Ferris and Ann B. Jones.

The project is intended to beautify the downtown area, said Marcia Weaver, special projects director for the city.

“We’re adding another positive addition to the downtown area,” Weaver said.

The artists’ proposals will be narrowed to a field of two by a nine-member committee appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Those choices will then be forwarded to the curator of the Mississippi Museum of Art, who will recommend one of those choices back to the community panel.

The committee will meet today and is expected to make a recommendation by Wednesday.

Final approval will come from the city board for the mural to be painted on the land side of the floodwall facing the downtown area. The painting is expected to be complete by July 31.

The project will cost $15,000 and is being funded partially by a $7,500 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission. The city will fund the other half of the cost.

In other matters the board:

Recognized Dr. Dorothy Height for her work with the National Counsel of Negro Women.

Read a proclamation for National Athletic Training Month honoring certified athletic trainers.

Approved a $4,000 increase for an improvement project to North Washington Street between First East and Haining roads.

Authorized Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to prepare an update of the city’s equal employment opportunity plan.

Closed the meeting to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters with the Vicksburg Fire Department, Senior Center and Vicksburg Police Department.

The Mayor and Aldermen will meet again at 10 a.m., Monday at City Hall.