A Covington mural featuring a Phoenix did what it was supposed to do and is now coming down.
The 2010 ArtWorks project at West Seventh and Washington was designed to attract the attention of developers. It did that, through a series of public events at the city parking lot next door, and will be demolished to make way for the $60 million Duveneck Square redevelopment project with apartments and retail.
The mural began to serve as a location for events such as the city's annual arts festival, Art Off Pike. In 2013, a second mural was added on the other side of the parking lot. Renaissance Covington and the Center for Great Neighborhoods started to program events in the lot like Food Truck Frenzies.
"It is my favorite mural and I'm sad to see it go, but it is a perfect example of how public art can be the catalyst for economic development and community revitalization," said Mayor Sherry Carran.
Assistant City Manager Larisa Sims says Covington has a lot of public art which she hopes will lead to future redevelopment. "(It) is attracting visitors, it's attracting economic development and it becomes part of the attractions for future redevelopment in the city, as a strategy for the city."
Renaissance Covington is holding a "Farewell to the Phoenix" event May 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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