Well, work on one downtown hotel is commencing, as crews lay the ground work for the new Marriott Residence Inn on the corner of West Main and Ridge/McIntire. This mural, captured recently by Hawes Spencer, was commissioned by former Random Row Books in 2011 and painted by a group of Tandem Friends School students, a response to the nearby Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea statue. There was some controversy at the time, as the mural was painted without City approval, but it was embraced by the community and remains. But will it be preserved? Stay tuned.

Photo by Hawes Spencer