Today’s Natchitoches mural hearing is a collision of good intentions
What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.
Not an original line. Best used in the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman as a short-term prisoner who won’t play by the rules of the cruel warden or those set down by the inmates’ rugged leader.
This afternoon at 5, expect a packed room at the Natchitoches City Council Chambers next to City Hall on Second Street, when the Historic District Commission convenes. The topic: “to address a sign erected at 123 Rue St. Denis St. without first obtaining a permit from the commission, whether the sign violates Sec. 16.1-40 of the Code of Natchitoches, and whether the commission should take action for violations of the Code of Natchitoches.”
The “sign” in question is a colorful mural mounted on the north-facing wall in what is known as Taylor Park, which surely nearly everybody agrees has been a very good enhancement to downtown. There’s wrought-iron furniture, the wonderful locally-owned Tasty Boy food truck, and occasional live music on a stage at the back of the small lot.
And that “sign.” It’s called that because in Historic District vernacular, which is Code of Natchitoches terminology, there is no other description that fits “artwork.”
The self-described “postcard style mural” is the work of Matt Yerby, an extremely talented former Northwestern baseball player whose creative ventures include many other varied works of art, and notably the 2023 feature film “Dirty South” shot locally and available on Amazon Prime. The mural, installed several weeks ago to a cascade of rave reviews, has images representing the community inset in letters spelling Natchitoches, 8 feet tall, 24 feet lengthwise.
That’s a really big sign. And it’s hard not to admire. But unfortunately, that’s beside the point.
The lot, and the recently added artwork, are in place thanks to Rue St. Denis business and property owners Henry and Debbie Taylor, lifelong locals.
There’ve been some complaints about their mini-concerts, and the “Second Saturday” music and street sales event spearheaded by the Taylors. C’mon. Streets blocked in downtown? Fairly routine. Seems like an off-the-riverbank version of the weekly Natchitoches Farmers’ Market, or many other special events that add to the magnetic appeal of our downtown.
But that’s a sidebar to the topic at hand. When it comes to this artwork, or anything at all visible in the National Landmark District that is part of the more expansive Natchitoches Historic District, the stakes are higher than simply who likes it.
The Landmark District designation has been very good for our community over the many years since it was secured. It’s brought far more than the immense prestige and tourism; there have been grants and other benefits to Natchitoches like funding for the Main Street program that are extremely valuable. With that designation comes some stringent federal regulations. More than 40 years ago the city adopted rules to meet those standards.
The Landmark District includes 33 downtown blocks and is part of the Historic District. That spans a bigger area on the west side of Cane River, basically down Washington Street and from Texas Street to University Parkway, up to Third Street, as I understand it. The Historic District Commission, a volunteer citizens panel appointed by the mayor, is responsible for maintaining the long-standing rules.
Some seem overdue for updates. The definition of “sign” is one that comes to mind. But that has to be a process, because of the Landmark District benefits but even more so, because the code in the books is, like it or not, law.
There’s opportunity to alter laws at every level. At this moment, the Historic District commissioners have their duty to uphold. How they choose to interpret that will be the cornerstone of this afternoon’s hearing.
The Taylors and supporters admit the application process for permission from the Commission was ignored, and no permit was issued. Why that happened will be shared this afternoon, but it’s very reasonable that there was little hope of getting approval, so why ask? We’ve all heard the rule of thumb: it’s easier to apologize than to get permission.
Whether it’s a spouse, a boss, an authority figure, law enforcement or the legal system, there’s usually a tipping point and day of reckoning. Consequences will be determined, for the time being, by the commissioners. Fines? An order to remove the mural? If the Taylors and the mural proponents don’t like it, there’s a path to appeal to the City Council.
Seems that’s where this is headed. The commissioners have a narrow viewpoint established by the city code and defined by their mission to preserve the Landmark District and even more important, the look and feel of the centerpiece of this community that has brought hundreds of thousands of visitors, millions of dollars, and a much greater quality of constant cultural experiences than comparable communities for miles around.
Taylor and friends have chosen to make their stand later than the Commission requires. Today’s hearing doesn’t need to be tense, just informative. Probably asking too much for it to be collaborative. A ruling, one that won’t make either side particularly satisfied, will be issued, standing for at least the time being, pending what to this point has been avoided – taking steps in the process as outlined in the Code of Natchitoches.
In essence, expect the commissioners today to say, like the prison boss in the classic movie did: “Sorry, Luke. I’m just doing my job. You gotta appreciate that.”
Luke’s reply: “Nah – calling it your job don’t make it right, Boss.”
Luke eventually bought the farm in the movie. Hope there’s reconsideration, replacing recalcitrance, and eventually a different outcome to the mural saga.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com