HomeMy WebLinkAboutSarah Korjeff presentation HyannisHDC PublicArtWorkshop Apr2025 (2)H Y A N N I S H I S T O R I C D I S T R I C T
Workshop on Public Art
SARAH KORJEFF , PRESERVATION SPECIALIST
CAPE COD COMMISSION
A P R I L 2 , 2 0 2 5
Introduction
–Workshop
Outline
Opportunities and Challenges
Legal Issues
Basis for Mural Guidelines, including Best Practices and Examples
Suggested Guidelines for Hyannis
Discussion/Questions/Next Steps
Opportunities
and
Challenges
Opportunities
Tell broader stories
Add vibrancy to empty spaces
Engage local artists
Challenges
Protect architectural integrity
Protect historic district character
Legal Issues
Art is characterized by the courts as First Amendment protected speech
Art is subjective
Decisions must be content neutral
Regulate time, place, and manner only
Create guidelines to avoid arbitrary and capricious decisions
Basis for
Public
Art/Mural
Guidelines
Content Neutral review –must limit guidelines to size, material, and placement (National Alliance of Preservation Commission listserv)
Purposes of Historic District –protect physical fabric and character of significant landscapes or sites
Character-defining features of district –key historic buildings, clusters, public spaces
Historic significance –2011 map of district
Architectural and Historical Significance
(2011 Historic Preservation Plan)
Basis for
Public
Art/Mural
Guidelines
2011 Map
Basis for
Public
Art/Mural
Guidelines
Best Practices
Historic features should be unaltered
Historic features should not be covered
Proposals should be reversible
Murals shouldn't block views of historic buildings or features or spaces
Scale of murals shouldn't overwhelm historic buildings or district character
Examples of
Regulations
or Guidelines
Frederick, MD
Virginia Main Street
Frankfort, KY
Milwaukee, WI
Example –
Frederick,MD
Historic
District
Criteria
Example –
Frederick, MD
Historic
District
Criteria
Project's relationship to character-
defining facades or features
Project's placement within historic
streetscape or landscape
Project's physical impact on historic materials
Project's height, scale, and massing as it relates to historic setting
Example –
Virginia Main
Street
Guidelines
Example –
Virginia Main
Street
Guidelines
Murals should be in scale with district and surrounding buildings
Murals should not be painted on previously unpainted masonry walls
Mount murals on side or rear elevations, not on primary façades or above roof line or over architectural elements
Murals should not have sign content; Logos or company advertising should not be permitted
Example –
Frankfort, KY
Mural
Guidelines
Example –
Frankfort, KY
Mural
Guidelines
Focus murals on non-residential and mixed-use buildings in central business district
Murals shall not be located on principal facades
Murals shall not cover or detract from architectural features
Special review for murals proposed on residential structures or non-residential structures which directly face adjacent residential structures
Example –
Milwaukee,
WI Mural
Rules
Example –
Milwaukee,
WI Mural
Rules
Murals not allowed on elevations directly facing or parallel to sidewalks and public ways
No mural shall exceed 50% of wall area or twice the maximum wall signage size allowed, whichever is smaller (50 sf x 2)
Murals are limited to one wall of a building
Murals are not permitted on unpainted masonry or wood siding with surface details
Hyannis
Guideline
Suggestions
Identify where murals might be discouraged – Map them?
High significance historic buildings
Front facades
Street facing facades
Facades with architectural details
Residential areas
Key historic spaces
Historic core areas
Hyannis
Guideline
Suggestions
Identify where murals might be encouraged --
Non-historic Commercial buildings
Buildings outside historic core area
Facades without historic features
Facades that don't face Main Street
Identify scale and size limits --
Limit to 50% of wall adjacent to historic areas
Larger on rear/alley walls not adjacent to historic
Limit neon colors
Limit lighting
Prohibit videos
Prohibit damage to historic materials
Sample
Buildings
to consider
National Register property – Hyannis Public Library, 401 Main Street
Historic Building on Main Street – First Baptist Church, 486 Main Street
Historic Building in Residential area – Capt. Bacon House, 379 South Street
Non-Historic Building – 500 Main Street
Discussion
and Next
Steps
Create a working group; or
Engage a preservation consultant
Consult the Cape Cod Commission to comment/consult on draft guidance/regulation
Thank You!
Sarah Korjeff, Preservation Specialist
skorjeff@capecodcommission.org
www.capecodcommission.org
F E B R U A R Y 1 8 , 2 0 2 5