Fundraising goal met to paint murals on rusty railroad overpasses in Muskegon

MUSKEGON, MI - A plan to paint murals on two rusty railway bridges in Muskegon is becoming reality after a crowdfunding effort successfully raised $50,000.

The MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative (MCPAI) launched the fundraiser in December to transform both sides of railroad passes over Seaway Drive between Laketon and Hackley avenues.

The $50,000 will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces, Community Places for a total of $100,000.

“I am always in awe of what Muskegon can do,” said Judy Hayner, project director with MCPAI.

Related: Muskegon crowdfunding campaign aims to transform rusty railroad bridges into murals

With the funding secured, MCPAI is now focused on the logistics of completing the project.

The Muskegon bridge has already been cleaned and primed, and the plan is to have the Muskegon Heights-Norton Shores bridge prepped in April. Hayner hopes to have the artists painting by mid-May with the project completed by Memorial Day.

A public vote selected four artists and designs last year.

The $100,000 collected through the fundraising effort will cover about half the project’s $212,000 cost. The rest is coming from MCPAI, a grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation and $68,000 fronted by the city of Muskegon to clean its bridge.

The overpasses are owned by CSX Transportation, and Hayner said it was “historic” getting railroad companies on board with the project.

“It’s one more piece of evidence about the uniqueness of Muskegon,” Hayner said. “Muskegon is an interesting town because I think it’s big enough to have a lot of good assets but it’s also small enough that you can make things happen.”

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