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A stretch of boarded-up windows on Batavia’s police station could soon become a new public art feature.
City officials voted to support a grant application from Water Street Studios’ Public Art Initiative that would fund a multi-panel mural celebrating Batavia’s past, present, and future.
What’s being proposed: A series of six mural panels installed on the west side of the Batavia Police Station, covering the boarded windows facing the river.
How it would be funded: The group plans to apply for a $15,000 grant from the Illinois Arts Council, tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
What the murals would show: The panels would tell a visual story of Batavia — from the Fox River and its industrial roots to its windmill heritage and modern community life.
Project timeline: The grant application deadline is January 15, so the group needed a formal endorsement before going through the Historic Preservation Commission and submitting the proposal.
If the grant is awarded, the project would return for additional review before installation, giving residents another chance to see the final design details before the murals go up.
Watch the City Council discussion recording (16-minute mark).
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