A decades-old Avondale mural painted to memorialize firefighters who died in a massive arson fire is getting a facelift.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) is teaming up with the city to restore the large Fireman’s Memorial Park mural overlooking the busy intersection of Diversey, Milwaukee and Kimball avenues.
Originally painted in the mid-’80s after the deadly fire, the mural has deteriorated in recent years from extreme weather, Ramirez-Rosa said.
Ramirez-Rosa is using about $50,000 in aldermanic discretionary funds to replace the crumbling mural. The alderman is working with the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on the new mural, expected to debut this fall, Ramirez-Rosa said. “The three firefighters that lost their lives in Avondale died in response to an arson fire. They were protecting our community, and that mural honors their sacrifice,” Ramirez-Rosa said.