St. Catharines Downtown Association

There is a large mural on James Street at the corner of St. Paul Street. There is a little old gazebo-like structure in that abandoned lot. The mural has palm trees, some ugly pumped up creatures on a beach and a cow, plus a huge wave. Who owns that mural or wall? Why is it still there? What does it mean/ promote? Given that the city is trying to lure business and tourists and cultural centres there, do city officials truly approve of or find this mural pleasing?

A: The mural is a remnant of an urban muscle beach.

The concept took shape in 2003 when John Fulton, who owns the fitness club next door, leased the corner empty lot. He installed sandboxes, picnic tables, beach chairs, a basketball court and the beach hut with non-alcoholic drinks.

Fulton no longer leases the property and it remains in the hands of Jerry Kowal, who owned the Russell Hotel that was demolished on the site in late 1996. When contacted, Kowal said things were in the works for the property, but he wouldn't say what or for when.

City planner Paul Chapman said his department has received inquiries over the last six months related to potential redevelopment of the site. They have included talk of a small office building, a restaurant with above residential and a commercial space on the ground with above residential. None have lead to applications.

Several ideas for the property have been discussed over the years, said St. Catharines Downtown Association general manager Tisha Polocko. The association even talked about the possibility of purchasing the lot and having it made into a parkette that the city could take over.

She said it all came down to cost and what the owner thinks it's worth.

 

As for the beach painting, Polocko believes it's actually preventing the wall from being tagged with vandalism over and over again.

"But because it sort of represents a mural or some sort of artwork it's been left alone," she said. "I think that has some correlation because we know very well you see other large plain walls, they immediately get tagged."

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