FRIENDS' Testimony:

FRIENDS’ Preservation Committee had mixed feelings about this application. On one hand, some felt that we should not reward illegal work on landmarked buildings, and on the other hand, some considered the mural to be minimally visible from the street. All agreed, though, that the principle of street visibility provides a useful measure when weighing this application. Since the mural is visible from the public way, it should be held to the same standards as a standard proposal for a Certificate of Appropriateness. In addition, the mural is very large and is painted directly onto the wall, which permanently alters the exterior material and cannot be easily removed. Although some Committee members did not object to the mural itself, we feel that legalization would not be appropriate because it is an improper addition to this building.