Put mural on water tank

I hadn’t given much thought to the stormwater holding tank built off Newtown Pike until I saw it from Interstates 75/64 in winter with no leaves on the fence-line trees. It is massive and very visible. I understand the plan is to put trees around it, and while I am a big believer in landscaping, I don’t think even planting giant sequoias would help anytime soon.

This structure is a huge blank canvas, and instead of trying to mask it, there should be an effort to use its size to promote Lexington. The city is becoming known for large outdoor paintings that improve the surface they’re on: the scenic airport retaining wall, the impressive Lincoln downtown and the beautiful Kentucky American water tank near the interstate to name a few.

And unlike the water tank horses, the holding tank is very visible from both sides of the interstate. It is a perfect place to do something unique, attractive and impressive. It certainly would be a cost-effective way of enhancing and promoting Lexington at the same time; one expenditure would turn a huge concrete wall into something not only beautiful but memorable for thousands of people driving by every day.

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Put mural on water tank."