The Historic Resources Commission on Wednesday approved a proposal to paint a large mural on a downtown façade that the commission staff described as a noncontributing, altered wall within the local historic district. The commission found that the mural would not adversely impact historic material and approved the project, subject to minor refinements requested by commissioners.

Presenters said the mural will be produced quickly: the project team said the mural must be completed before Oct. 31 under program guidelines and that they had prepared mockups and logistics for street barricades and traffic control. The presenters identified the project as part of a broader Capital Region initiative and said the Albany Center Gallery plans to occupy the building tied to the mural program. The artists named in renderings include Boogie Rezan (artist) and collaborators the presenters said had produced public work in the city previously.

Planning staff noted the wall is an altered, post‑survey surface and had been modified in prior decades; as such, staff said it is noncontributing and the commission’s review should focus on paint materials, permanence and whether the mural would harm or obscure historic fabric. The applicant provided a maintenance plan that included an anti‑graffiti coating previously used on other Albany murals, and staff said that coating’s compatibility with the paint’s vapor‑permeability would be addressed in the permit review.

Commission discussion was broadly supportive. Commissioner Lee Pinkney said the mural “jazzes up a rather ugly wall” and voiced support; other commissioners and staff cited letters of support submitted by the mayor’s office and downtown development organizations. Commissioners asked only that the transom proportions and the simulated‑divided‑light treatment on the transoms be refined so that the visual bars are integrated manufacture‑level muntins rather than surface applied strips, and that the horizontal member between shop windows and transoms align with neighboring storefronts. The commission amended its motion to include those refinements and approved the mural application with the clarified conditions.

The motion as amended required that the applicant use integrated or factory‑installed divided‑light muntins (not loose surface applied bars) for the transoms, and that the transom height be shortened with the lower display windows increased so the horizontal member between transom and display aligns with adjacent storefronts; staff and the applicant agreed to confirm final dimensions in the field during permit review. The commission noted that content and color choices fall under artistic expression and are not within its purview; the commission limited its review to materials, impact on historic fabric, and maintenance/removal procedures.

Letters of support submitted for the record included correspondence from the mayor’s office, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District and the Albany Parking Authority, the applicant said. The applicant and staff said they would coordinate final scaffold/traffic plans and documentation for permit review. With the stated refinements the motion passed.