BOERUM HILL — A bicycle-themed mural that depicted colorful creatures riding through Brooklyn was recently painted over to prepare the property for future tenants, the building's landlord said.
The mural on Bergen Street near Smith Street had been commissioned by BikeSmith, a repair and maintenance shop at 149 Smith St. that closed last year.
Carmen Rivero, who owns the property with her husband Jose, said BikeSmith had failed to pay its rent for almost a year. The landlords eventually took the repair shop to court and the property was seized by city marshals, who handed control back to the Riveros, according to a notice on the building.
The mural once featured animals like giraffes, an octopus, an elephant, cats, dogs and a few mythical critters wearing helmets and riding bicycles through Downtown Brooklyn with the clocktower and the Barclays Center in the background.
It was covered with reddish-brown paint within the last two weeks and workers were still painting over some spots on Monday.
"I don't think [new tenants] want to see that there," she said.
The now-covered signature on the mural once featured the names Miss. Boom Box & Paz. Miss Boom Box, who still has a photo of the mural on her website, did not respond to requests for comment.
After BikeSmith moved out of the building, Rivero said they had to clean the space, which had been trashed with old tires, bike parts and discarded materials.
"I had to throw a whole bunch of garbage out of that place," she said.
The owner also posted a sign that read, "No Bicycles Allowed. Owner will remove." By Monday, the remaining bikes and racks in front of the wall were gone.
Rivero has yet to sign a new tenant to rent the corner property but she's looking out for someone worthwhile.
"This time I'm going to be very choosy," she said.
BikeSmith could not be reached for comment.
