There’s a mural proposal for the 8th Ave NW and Holman Road underpass, and organizers are asking the public to weigh in on the design.
Neighborhood representative Maisha Barnett says Urban Artworks’ youth mural apprenticeship program is taking on the project. The Seattle-based nonprofit works with young artists across the city to design and paint public murals while gaining hands-on experience in community art projects.
Urban Artworks’ programs aim to “engage youth, artists, and communities in the creation of public art that inspires connections and honors their voices.” The organization has completed murals in neighborhoods across Seattle and has worked on other projects in Ballard.
In 2024, Urban Artworks partnered on the mural at the Ballard Tool Library, transforming the building’s exterior wall into a colorful community art piece.
The idea for improvements at the Holman Road underpass dates back to 2023, when Barnett submitted a proposal aimed at making the 8th Ave NW corridor safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposal called for lighting, power washing, and painting the underpass to improve visibility and reduce conflicts between pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and drivers along the busy stretch of road.
The proposal came shortly after two RVs caught fire beneath the underpass, sending thick black smoke and flames above Holman Road. Although the proposal was not selected at the time, Barnett says the effort helped build community support and brought attention from city officials to the location.
More recently, the City of Seattle’s graffiti administrator offered the site to Urban Artworks for its Youth Apprenticeship Mural Program. Barnett is now helping lead community outreach for the project alongside 8th Ave NW neighbor Thuy Vo.
The Crown Hill Village Association has also partnered on the effort and is hosting a community survey to gather input on the mural’s design.
The new project would bring artwork to the underpass at 8th Ave NW and Holman Road, a busy corridor that connects Crown Hill with the rest of Ballard and serves as a key route for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Survey responses are being collected through March 21 to help guide the mural’s theme. Participants are asked to choose up to three concepts they would most like to see represented.
The design options include:
- Creek
- Salmon
- Sasquatch / Yeti
- Apple Orchard
- Rainbows
- Forest
- Meadows
- Sunset
Organizers say the goal is to create a mural that reflects the natural landscape, history, and character of the Crown Hill and Ballard area.
Volunteers will also be invited to help with the mural project once the design is finalized, though organizers say more details about how to get involved will be shared later.
Photo: 8th Ave NW/Holman Road underpass (Google Image Capture Sept. 2025)