BRIDGEPORT — One of the most well-traversed sidewalks in Bridgeport will get an artful upgrade this summer, according to Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11th).
The 35th Street viaduct will see a new mural painted on its walls before long, Thompson said a community meeting Tuesday.
An announcement for the project will be made later this week, but Thompson did say a sponsor for the mural has been secured and that his office will hold a community paint day to help beautify the viaduct.
The 35th Street viaduct serves as a main passage to U.S. Cellular Field, which is a block east of the viaduct at 333 W. 35th St. Thompson said the new mural will help brighten up a part of the neighborhood that sees a lot of visitors.
"We're pretty excited about it," he said.
The viaduct walls appear to have already received a fresh coat of white, primer paint, as well as black writing that reads "new mural coming."
Two pictures plastered next to the "new mural" signs appear to show mock-ups of the mural to come.
There are two separate mock ups: One on the north side of the street shows local landmarks like the Union Stockyards Gate and old Comiskey Park, while a mural mock-up on the south side of the viaduct shows old ballplayers and even what appears to be a caricature of White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
This picture appears to be a mock-up of new mural is coming to the 35th Street viaduct near U.S. Cellular Field in Bridgeport. [DNAinfo/Joe Ward]
A White Sox spokesman did not return a call for comment.
Thompson said the mural work is part of his effort to clean up Bridgeport viaducts. Improvements have already come to viaducts at Archer Avenue and Corbett Street and Shields Avenue at 43rd Street.
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