Preliminary work is underway on a fourth mural for downtown Andalusia officially approved by the city council Tuesday night.

Councilwoman Hazel Griffin asked the council to sign off on the $28,336 project, for which the city’s Tourism and Relocation Committee has secured $25,000 in funding. The mural spotlights the importance of the timber industry to the county’s development.

The mural – the largest one planned so far in the downtown area – is 88 feet wide and 28 feet tall and will be painted on the Cedar Creek Merchandise building on Church Street, in between the city’s fire and police departments. Griffin said the mural features Henderson, Horse Shoe and Dixon lumber companies.

Mayor Earl Johnson said the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation has committed $10,000 toward the project, and Speaker of the House Seth Hammett has secured another $15,000.

“We are working on the rest of the money and writing letters for support,” Griffin said.

The Tourism and Relocation Committee will underwrite the balance of the cost not raised from its budget, Griffin said.

The council acted to contract with the artist, Wes Hardin, and the property owner for the work. Hardin previously painted murals on the WAAO building, the Clark Theater building, and the Prestwood building.

“Our long-term goal is to paint feet leading you from one mural to the other,” Griffin said, “with lots of ice cream parlors in between.”