The Idora Neighborhood Association has been transforming its streets with projects including urban agriculture and corner store clean-up campaigns for more than a year. The organization's latest beautification project caught the attention of State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield), as well as many Youngstown residents. A mural stretching the length of an old grocery store building now greets neighborhood residents as they drive up the main street of the neighborhood.
The Idora Neighborhood is a historic district on the city's southwest side and INA president, "Big" Jim London, said the mural was a year in the making. "Welcome to the Idora Neighborhood" is what the mural reads and the letters are surrounded by bright shapes mimicking a stained glass window.
"I had a blast painting, climbing ladders and mixing colors," Senator Schiavoni said. "Big Jim is one of the hardest working and most caring residents in Youngstown. His efforts and those of his neighborhood group are what will help turn the city around."
The mural took more than two days to finish and it was unveiled to the public and media on Tuesday, August 25. "We're not dead, we're alive and you can see that right here," said London referring to his neighborhood while pointing at the mural. All those who painted a piece of the mural were able to sign their names and an anti-graffiti coat was painted over the artwork to ensure the mural remains in the neighborhood for years to come
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