QUEENS — A pair of Forest Hills murals featuring the Ramones and tennis stars who once played in the neighborhood will soon be renovated after they got damaged by water and mud from the train tracks above, according to several people behind the restoration efforts.
Both murals were painted last summer on the walls under the LIRR overpass on 71st Avenue as part of an initiative by the group behind the concerts at the nearby Forest Hill Stadium. They worked on the project with 501 See Streets, a nonprofit dedicated to beautifying neighborhoods through art, and state Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.
But in recent months, the murals located on the way to the stadium became caked with dirt and water, according to Noah Sheroff of 501 See Streets.
Sheroff also said that the damage most likely can be cleaned with soap and water or possibly power washed.
Photos: DNAinfo/Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska
One of the murals, painted by artists Crisp and Praxis Graff, features the Ramones, the Forest Hills Stadium and Station Square, the other — located across the street and painted by artist Andre Trenier — pays tribute to tennis legends Althea Gibson, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King who once played at the stadium.
Forest Hills Stadium promoter Mike Luba said Tuesday that while he was not sure when specifically the murals will be restored, the stadium is willing to foot the bill.
He added that the group recently installed new LED lighting under the overpass so that it's "well lit and less creepy at night" and is working on a plan to protect the murals from future damage.
The office of Assemblyman Hevesi and the 112th Precinct are also involved in the restoration efforts, according to Luba and Hevesi's office.
The MTA has also worked to make improvements in the area, according to spokesman Aaron Donovan who said that in May, in an unrelated effort, the agency cleaned steel columns and painted concrete pillars at the site. It also removed and reinstalled pigeon netting.
During a recent inspection, the agency also discovered waterproofing issues on the bridge abutments, which are scheduled to be fixed in August next year, according to Donovan.
“I am hopeful that it will be a beautiful long-term solution to what was once an unsightly and unsafe underpass,” Luba said about the upcoming restoration.
