The south side of the Steveston Hotel is now a blank wall after a replica of a historic painting was removed.
But Richmond city council has decided it will be repainted in the same spot, going against a staff recommendation to paint it on a historic shed.
City council voted 5-4 to have the replica of John Horton's Arrival of the S.V. Titania repainted on the south side of the Steveston Hotel.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie said he wanted the mural in the highest visibility area and opposed having it on the hotel.
"I don’t want to leave it at the Steveston Hotel without significant contribution by the owners of the Steveston Hotel,” Brodie told city council last Monday.
“We’re enhancing his business and I think the time has come not to do that.”
Last winter, city staff noted the original mural, painted for the Canada 150 celebrations, was peeling and in rough shape.
Their recommendation was just to remove it, but city council wanted to see it repainted somewhere.
The staff recommendation was to paint it at the historic Fishermen’s Washrooms at Third Avenue and Bayview Street.
The majority of city council voted against this location, however, and voted for repainting it on the Steveston Hotel.
This last motion was opposed by Brodie and Couns. Chak Au, Alexa Loo and Bill McNulty.
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