Coordinated by artists Skip McNutt and Ernest Neal, the mural will hang on the side of the historic Adairsville train depot now home to the Age of Steam Museum. Work on the 8-foot-by-20-foot painting is expected to begin in July and will take four to six months to complete.
"Once the mural is completed the main goal is to attract people to town where they will shop our businesses and support our downtown area. So from this point on, that's what we're looking forward to," McNutt said.
This funding has come from the United States Department of Agriculture in the form of a rural business development grant. Planning for the project began last August after the idea was conceived by the artists. Their collaborative work will result in a snapshot of the Great Locomotive Chase including the General traveling north being pursued by the Texan in reverse as the two steam engines took part in the 1862 event.
The announcement of the grant was made during Monday's Adairsville City Council work session. The following items were included on the agenda to be voted on at the June 10 regular meeting:
* The second reading of a proposed patio ordinance for consumption of malt beverage and wine.
* A motion to authorize Mayor Evan King to sign a Local Assistance Road Program contract for resurfacing Patterson Lane.
* The first reading of an erosion, sediment and pollution control ordinance.
* The first reading of a proposed ethics ordinance.
* A phase one infrastructure upgrade for Vista Metals to include a turbine station for the regulation and measurement of gas service. Estimated cost of the project is $32,000. Phase one will be completed by the end of July.
* A phase two infrastructure upgrade for Vista Metals to include the increase of water lines supplying the building to a four-inch line. The estimated cost is $18,000 to be completed by the end of September.
* A motion to increase reconnect fees for water and gas to $50 as well as increasing the charge for broken water valves and locks. This measure is proposed to recoup losses from an increase of delinquent bills and vandalism to service devices.
* Participation in the Public Awareness and Consumer Education program offered through the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia to promote the uses of natural gas and recruit new customers through various incentives.
* Participation in the Poultry Farm and Gas Supply program through MGAG aimed at promoting the benefits of natural gas for poultry farms.