The mural, painted by Australian artist Guido van Helten, features the images of five Fort Dodge residents. It’s the only mural by van Helten in Iowa and it’s believed to be the largest mural in the state.

“It’s got a lot of buzz,” Mayor Matt Bemrich said. “I think that it’s well-received.”

Councilman Dave Flattery added that the mural “has become more of a destination site.”

But people coming to that destination site may have found it a little less than user friendly. Parking is limited there and anyone who has trouble walking or uses a wheelchair would likely have a tough time getting around the site to take in the whole image.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Artist Guido van Helten painted this mural on old grain silos along Hawkeye Avenue last year. As interest in the mural grows, the Fort Dodge City Council awarded a contract Monday to build a parking lot and sidewalks near the silos.

The work to be done as a result of a contract awarded Monday by the council is intended to address those issues.

A parking lot with spaces for 20 vehicles will be built in front of the silos. A five-foot wide sidewalk will be extended from the parking lot and loop around the silos. Another sidewalk will link the parking lot to a section of trail in Loomis Park, which is next to the silo site.

The council hired Castor Construction, of Fort Dodge, to do the work at a cost of $169,274. Councilmembers Jeff Halter and Lydia Schuur were absent from the otherwise unanimous vote.

City Engineer Tony Trotter said the work will begin as soon as possible and be completed this year.

The city received a $75,000 Wellmark grant to help pay for the project.

Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, submitted the only other bid of $212,218.25 for the project.

The area where the parking lot and sidewalks will be built is owned by MidCountry Machinery, of Fort Dodge. To make the project possible, the council approved a 35-year-lease with the company. The city will pay the company a $60,000 lump sum. There will not be any yearly or monthly lease payments, according to City Manager David Fierke.

City officials plan to add lighting, benches and an informational kiosk to the site in the future.