Main Street Delaware’s request for a certificate of appropriateness to add a mural to the side of its Welcome Center building has been denied by the Delaware Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).

During Wednesday’s meeting of the HPC, the commission considered a revised submission from Main Street Delaware for a mural that would have been added to the brick on the east side of the building at 20 E. William St. as a vinyl brick wrap. The submitted design featured a version of the “Just Next Door” logo, which was introduced early this year by MSD as the downtown’s new brand identity.

Main Street Executive Director Courtney Hendershot was previously before the commission in March with three concept designs. While some commissioners shared positive thoughts on which design they preferred, much of the discussion centered around the lack of well-defined HPC standards for murals in the downtown districts and what type of art would be acceptable based on those designs. Commissioner Denny Bolton stated during that meeting that he would prefer those clarified standards be put in place before advancing talks of mural installation.

However, Hendershot noted during that meeting that the mural would be paid for via a grant from the Delaware County Community Foundation, and time was of the essence due to the grant’s expiration date of Dec. 31. While Hendershot was able to get an extension on the grant, pushing the expiration date to Dec. 31, 2025, the timeframe for installing the mural is still limited due to weather-related restrictions for installation.

Back before the commission on Wednesday, Hendershot presented the “Just Next Door” mural concept as the preferred art, but it was met with unfavorable feedback.

Chairperson Sherry Riviera asked Hendershot about the nature of the “Just Next Door” slogan and how it is being used. Hendershot noted there is merchandise at the Welcome Center featuring the slogan but said the slogan has been made available to many Delaware-related entities for use.

Riviera later stated she believed the mural would be an advertisement for Main Street Delaware, a notion Hendershot challenged in March by saying the slogan was “more of a hashtag” as part of a marketing initiative many stakeholders in downtown Delaware had a part in when it was being created.

“I think this is something we discussed at our first meeting,” Riviera stated. “Our view at that time was a mural —we’re for murals — but they need to have a historical context and definitely not advertising, which this definitely is. And that’s where the variance would come in here.”

Commissioner Stephanie VanGundy expressed concerns that the proposed concept doesn’t appropriately prioritize the city and its culture and history. “When I see this (mural), I think of Main Street and not Delaware,” she said.

“My stance hasn’t really changed on it,” Bolton said. “This is a building that was built in 1885. It’s 140-year-old brick that’s been restored. It’s more of a mural that, as Stephanie said, I don’t see somebody wanting to stop and get a picture of it. I get what you guys are going for, but for me, I consider it a trademark and a billboard, and I’d have a hard time covering up the brick that’s been restored and is 140 years old.”

Vice Chairman Mark Smiles said the proposal “doesn’t meet anything in the standards,” including not improving an unattractive surface, being an advertisement, and featuring a logo.

“If you were to put a logo on the side of that brick, which I still think is a crime, maybe you’d want to do a map of downtown Delaware or a simplified version, something that is useful,” Smiles told Hendershot. “This is not useful. This is advertising, and it really has no place on the building.”

Councilman Kevin Rider, who was supportive of the general proposal in March, disagreed with labeling the “just next door” mural as a true advertisement in that it’s not promoting a product or service.

After the commission gave its thoughts on the proposal, the conversation turned to the potential for Hendershot to seek an appeal of the HPC recommendation to the Delaware City Council. Hendershot said she had conversations with then-City Manager Tom Homan and Mayor Carolyn Riggle following the March meeting about what recourse she may have if HPC turns away the request but stated it’s not her hope to pursue that path.

“I do want you all to know that that’s not an option I want to explore because I do understand, having one time worked for the City of Delaware, that you guys were all chosen for this position for the right reasons,” Hendershot said. “But I also know from my time working with the City that there is language that sits with us being in a city building that, necessarily, we don’t always have to go and abide by what HPC wants or some of those standards.

“But I feel that with us being Main Street Delaware, we’re here for when new businesses come in, and we want them to abide by those rules, so we have to set those standards. I just feel that ‘just next door’ is the perfect way to start getting art into our downtown, and I do see (the wall) as a stopping point when people enter our city.”

Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously to turn down the request. Riviera noted that even though the request was denied, Hendershot can always come back with a “more historical” depiction. However, she noted the commission would likely still take issue with covering up the brick wall.

Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on X @DillonDavis56.