Fond du Lac is boosting its curb appeal. From removing dead trees to spreading murals and art, here’s how.

FOND DU LAC – Have you looked around Fond du Lac lately?

In addition to large-scale, multi-step projects to enhance Fond du Lac in the city's past and future, small touches over the years have contributed to overarching goals of beautifying the area's landscape and making the city welcoming to both visitors and community members.

Fond du Lac's first impression is often its highway exits

Whether stopping in Fond du Lac or passing through, about 45,000 cars travel through the city area of Interstate 41 every day.

Over the past year, Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Advocacy Committee wanted to do something about how dead ash trees and overgrown brush were affecting Fond du Lac's landscape, especially at the intersection with State 23.

The land is state-owned, and Wisconsin Department of Transportation policies restricted dead vegetation removal to concerns of safety only.

However, with committee advocacy and a grant from Fond du Lac Area Foundation, the Fond du Lac County Highway Department removed more than 10 dead trees, as well as the brush and overgrowth, from the four quadrants between the interstate and its ramps in early January.

"Outside perception of our community matters, and so does the way we view it ourselves," committee member and Feucht Financial Group President Chad Feucht said.

"We should take some pride in our front yard, and I hope that spirit catches on around the whole city," Feucht added.

Downtown infrastructure became canvasses for local art

Along with an ongoing focus on the arts and business development, Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership's revitalization initiatives over the years have included beautification efforts to make the downtown area a safe and welcoming environment. This has included renovating buildings, enhancing historic structures and investing in public art.

In 2018, the partnership introduced the Utility Box Art Project, "taking ordinary objects of urban infrastructure and transforming them into canvases for local artwork," according to Executive Director Amy Krupp.

In its initial launch, local artists contributed their works to wrap 15 utility boxes with the goal of adding vibrancy to the downtown landscape and creating visual interest while introducing community members to Fond du Lac's artists. Now, there are 19 boxes, with more in the works.

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Murals add cultural flair and free access to art

The Mural Art Project followed the utility boxes in 2021, and the artists involved created art pieces that were scanned and reproduced to be up to three stories tall before being mounted onto downtown structures.

Seven mounted murals are now in place, and a set of three is in production, soon to be installed outside Fat Joe's Burgers and Brew, 15 W. Division St.

Another goal of both the utility boxes and the murals is to make art experiences affordable and accessible for all ages, promoting downtown as a cultural destination for visitors, artists and residents, Krupp said.

Additionally, the downtown area has two painted murals. "Mandala Flowers" by David Carpenter, Erin LaBonte and Don Krumpos was completed in 2020 on the side of MoJo Hair Studio, 82 N. Main St., measuring about 162 feet wide.

The newest mural is “Happy Bicycle Day,” covering the side of Fond du Lac Cyclery, 209 S. Main St. LaBonte and Krumpos, who run creative space Yonder in Algoma, finished the mural in 2022, paying homage to Fond du Lac's amenities and recreation opportunities.

Another mural planned for 15 E. Second St. is expected to be completed this year, Krupp said.

Just outside of downtown's scope, visitors and commuters can also find two murals on North Main Street: Bonnie Gleason-Federman's mural at 290 S. Main St. features five area veterans, one from each branch of the military, and the mural of musicians outside of Mike's Music and Sound.

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Downtown business signs contribute to the community's character

Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership's most recent initiative was the Creative Sign Grant, offering up to 75% reimbursement of the cost to design, create and install a unique, handcrafted projecting sign. This incentivizes downtown property owners to showcase creativity in adding character to downtown.

The 2023 recipients were Cujak's Wine and Spirits, Fond du Lac Cyclery and Knitty Gritty Yarn Shop, as well as Mirrorball, which has since closed.

"All of these programs bring vitality and color to the landscape, which is especially appreciated during the cold winter months when the streetscape can look rather bleak," Krupp said.

For more about Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership or its current and future initiatives, visit downtownfdl.com.

Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.