A large portion of the mural, funded by city and grant dollars, painted on Washington Gorge Action Program’s former headquarters off Steuben was removed after the owner, Big Fish Properties LLC, installed a new door.
A large portion of the mural, funded by city and grant dollars, painted on Washington Gorge Action Program’s former headquarters off Steuben was removed after the owner, Big Fish Properties LLC, installed a new door.
BINGEN — City council once again heard an update on downtown flooding, appointed a young seatmate and discussed possible actions to resolve a complaint it filed against a local property owner during its Aug. 17 meeting.
After several businesses along West Steuben flooded in April when a city contractor inadvertently struck a water main, it seems that the city’s insurer has responded to local concerns. Settlement resolutions have been offered, and partial cash payments for lost wages have been made.
Council has also long reserved a seat for a non-voting student member, and while none applied for years, rising Columbia High junior Eda O’Connor recently submitted her materials. She brings previous experience as a class representative and volunteer for the Bingen Food Bank. The student applicant was unanimously approved by the council, minus Ryan O’Connor, who recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Eda O’Connor is his daughter.
Then council discussed how to resolve a breach of contract complaint it has filed against Big Fish Properties LLC, owner of the building previously home to Washington Gorge Action Programs, where Bingen used grant and city funds to paint a mural last year. The company signed a contract agreeing to maintain the mural as a permanent fixture for the life of the art, and to not remove the mural without city consent, but a large part of the mural was later removed to install a door. The city was not notified.
The options for Big Fish are as follows: hire the original artist to repaint the mural to its original appearance, allowing for the new door; repay the $15,000 spent on the mural; or a third option that would allow an artist provided by the building owner to replace the part of the destroyed mural. Mayor Kelsey Ramsey explained that it would include “an additional contract created that gives us the final say on whether or not the replacement suffices and void the ‘Breach of Contract’ we have claimed.” The city is now awaiting a response from Big Fish Properties.
Lastly, council held a public hearing to amend the 2026 budget; the amendments were unanimously approved. The next Bingen City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
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