HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Nashville Police Department's Hermitage precinct will soon get an artistic makeover in the form of a mural.

According to Metro Councilman Jordan Huffman, who represents part of the Hermitage area, the public art piece will be located on the side of the MNPD Hermitage Precinct and will "celebrate the spirit and landmarks of the Donelson-Hermitage community."

This plan has been in the works for more than a year, Huffman told News 2.

"The police commander at the Hermitage Precinct, Ken Walburn, came to me about a year ago saying, 'Hey, I've got an idea that I'd like to do something on the side of our building,'" Huffman said.

That conversation led to more and now, Hermitage's first public art piece is on its way to becoming a reality. According to Huffman, the mural will be on the library side of the building and feature images of the Donelson-Hermitage-Old Hickory community.

The mural is to be designed by none other than a former Metro Councilman and artist in his own right: Phil Ponder. Ponder has long captured the character of Nashville's neighborhoods, according to Huffman. He has routinely designed artwork of the ever-changing Nashville skyline, as well.

Not only that; Ponder also represented the Hermitage area in District 14 back when he served on the Metro Council.

"When Commander Walburn asked me to look into this, no one other than Phil Ponder could design this, in my mind," Huffman told News 2. "One, he's a legend and a very, very talented artist, but two, he is the reason that precinct is there."

According to Huffman, back in the 1990s, there was a plan to put a Hermitage precinct on Lebanon Road, but Ponder successfully lobbied to have it located in the historical downtown area of Hermitage.

"Phil thought it was very important to ensure that we have our public buildings on that plot of land," Huffman said, noting the area also used to house the post office in Hermitage, making Phil's involvement a full-circle moment.

Ponder will work with another District 14 resident, Jordan Davis, who will paint the mural Ponder designs. According to Huffman, Davis is a talented artist who brings "an authentic, hometown touch to this project."

In another full circle moment, Huffman said Davis and Ponder have a fated history of their own. According to the councilman, Davis once one an art contest when she was in the fifth grade that allowed her to meet Ponder.

That interaction "helped shape her art going forward," per Huffman, and now, the two have been working for months on the proposed design of the mural now that Davis is an adult.

Once complete, the mural will not only beautify the precinct building, Huffman said, but it will also "stand as a tribute to the places and people that make our community so special."

The goal is to have the mural designed and completed by this fall, according to Huffman. He said he would keep residents informed as the project progresses.

A spokesperson for MNPD told News 2 things are "very much still in the planning phase," but they were "happy to have the beautiful addition this fall."

Funding for the mural is coming partially from fundraising efforts, per Huffman, while some will also come from council members.

"Part of the money is going to come out of the District 14 beautification budget," he told News 2.

Another Councilmember, District 12's Erin Evans, is also chipping in on the project, Huffman added.

In total, it should cost between $5,000 and $6,000 to install, according to Huffman. Some of the cost comes from long-term infrastructure for the artwork, he added.

"It's not going to be painted directly on the brick [of the precinct]," Huffman told News 2. "We want this mural to last a very, very long time, so we're going to be putting it on material so that we can bolt it on there. In the event that it needs to be moved or if the building relocates, we want to make sure that that mural stays."

The mural is still in the beginning stages, with materials being purchased in the coming days. The general timeline for the official reveal will be later in the year — likely in October.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/new-mnpd-hermitage-precinct-mural-in-the-works/