TRANSIT ART? To encourage and enhance the City of Eau Claire's community revitalization efforts, staff introduced a new visual arts project that would bring a new 17 feet by 43.5 feet mural to the downtown Eau Claire Transit Center, pictured above (414 S Farwell St.). As of July, the Transit Center's upper-level apartments above the bus depot and parking spaces remains under construction.

The transfer center in downtown Eau Claire, along Farwell Street, opened its doors to transit services last September. And yet, development remains in progress as its upper-level apartments – a private developer's project, not the City's – above the parking structure remain under construction. 

To encourage and enhance this ongoing development, municipal staff have introduced a new visual arts project that aligns with the City’s community revitalization efforts.

On Wednesday, July 22, the City of Eau Claire released a new statement to announce an invitation for local artists to submit proposals for a mural at the Transit Center, intended to "transform a wall ... into a vibrant celebration of cultural inclusion."

As of 2025, final grant monies from ARPA were allocated in Eau Claire County. The budget for the Transit Center mural could use a range of $5,000 to $15,000 from ARPA funds, depending on the scope of the selected project.

Anoosheh Hamzehee

ADA coordinator for the CITY OF EAU CLAIRE

"The City is seeking creative proposals that explore themes of cultural inclusion, belonging, and the richness of our diverse community," the July 22 release stated. "Artists should interpret these themes in their own unique style while creating a piece that is welcoming, inspiring and reflective of our community."

The mural will be painted on one wall of the Transit Center and will span approximately 17-feet-by-43.5-feet, the City shared.

This project idea, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), originally came from the City's Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) advisory committee, a short-term group focused on cultural inclusion.

As of 2025, final grant monies from ARPA were allocated in Eau Claire County. According to Anoosheh Hamzehee, an ADA coordinator for the City, the budget for this mural could use a range of $5,000 to $15,000 from ARPA funds, depending on the scope of the selected project.

Iowa-based Merge Urban Development Group, the developer behind the apartments going up above the Transit Center, told the City it expects the project to wrap up this fall.

Interested artists are encouraged to submit a mural proposal form and submit their concept for consideration by Aug. 6. Artists will be notified if their proposal has been accepted or denied by Aug. 26.

Hamzehee said the project would begin as soon as possible – once a local artist is selected – with the mural completed by the end of the year.