A stretch of alley to the right would bear Duane Flatmo’s name, who painted the iconic mural “Tribute to Architecture and Performing Arts.” Photo: Andrew Goff, 2020.


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One block of a Eureka alleyway is a step closer to carrying the name of beloved local artist Duane Flatmo.

The Eureka Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal to name part of a downtown alley after Flatmo last night. Next up, the proposal will be considered by the city council.

“Duane Flatmo has left his mark on this city. I believe we should claim him as the local treasure that he is officially, and put his name on something in the heart of Eureka,” Eureka Councilmember Kati Moulton, who proposed this naming, told the commission.

The alley section is bounded by F and G Streets. From this corridor, tucked between 4th and 5th Streets, Eurekans can gaze upon Flatmo’s gargantuan mural on the west side of the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts, or his depiction of alley cats hanging out on the south side of the building.

The stars represent Flatmo’s murals near the alley. Site plan: Eureka planning department.


Another section of the alley is named Charlie Moon Way, “but is one block to the west and will not be impacted,” according to the city staff report.

Mouton pointed to the mark Flatmo has made with his art and mentorship of local artists. She said he’s represented Eureka “across our country and on the world stage.”

The move by the commission, which is basically a recommendation for the city council to approve it, didn’t come with much discussion. In response to one comment letter apparently concerned about naming stuff for living people, commissioner Deborah Dukes said “I think it’s a great idea to honor people while they’re still around to enjoy it.”

Eureka’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation Commission previously voted in support of this proposal. 

Late last year, a similar pitch to rename Snug Alley after the artist was yanked following some historical research.

  • Also at the meeting, the commission unanimously agreed that Humboldt County’s plan to turn the former K-Mart to a “One-Stop Permitting Center” was consistent with the general plan. Cristin Kenyon, Eureka’s development services director, told the commission that a week or two ago, the county asked the city to exhume this request, which was put on pause after negotiations to purchase the property along U.S. 101 took a hiatus.

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