A Salina restaurant owner wins a federal lawsuit that will allow the business to finish painting its mural.

 

A federal judge has sided with Steve Howard, owner of the Cozy Inn, in his dispute with the City of Salina over a mural on the exterior wall of his restaurant. The issue began in November 2023 when Howard hired an artist to paint a mural featuring a UFO and flying hamburgers on the wall of the restaurant. A few days later, the city notified him that he would not be able to finish the mural because the City considered it a sign and not artwork. Howard filed a lawsuit against the City in 2024.

 

The mural has been left unfinished for the past two years as the case made its way through the courts. Now, a judge has ruled that the City cannot determine if a display is a sign or artwork based on its content.

 

Howard says, he is excited, at long last, to be able to finish his mural.