The Frank Rizzo mural is getting a freshening-up

For Agnes Bonuomo Viso, the iconic mural of Mayor Frank L. Rizzo on the side of her home in the Italian Market has been a source of pride and conversation.

And this week, she has had many conversations - some with people voicing alarm - about the mural after it was covered over with stucco in advance of being restored to its original beauty.

"I actually walk to the bread store, and within a block and a half, about 10 people stop me in a panic and say, 'Where's Rizzo?' " Viso said. "I tell them, 'He's coming back more beautiful,' and they are relieved."

The mural at Ninth and Montrose Streets is undergoing a complete restoration after 15 years of enduring wind, rain and snow.

Jane Golden, director of the city's Mural Arts Program, said the $20,000 project was being done because the mural had developed cracks and other damage over the years.

On Tuesday, crews were completing the resurfacing by applying a gray stucco to the wall.

Joseph Verdi, whose North Philadelphia company, Verdi Contractors, is resurfacing the wall, said people had stopped to ask about the mural.

"We're telling them that we are redoing the wall so they can put the mural back," Verdi said. "The majority of the people are very happy. This is part of their neighborhood."

The wall will have to cure for about a month, Golden said. Then it will take about three months to complete the new mural.

The painting will be done again by Philadelphia artist Diane Keller and will be identical to the one she created in 1995, officials said. Rizzo died in 1991.

The mural of the mayor, who held office from 1972 to 1980 and who earlier served as police commissioner, is a source of pride in the Italian American community in South Philadelphia.

"People stop their cars and jump out and take a picture" in front of it, said Viso, who has lived all her life in the home where her father operated A. Bonuomo Meats for many years, she said.

"I've seen whole families here to take a picture," Viso said. "I had a whole wedding party here last fall. I looked out the door, and they were taking a picture."

Viso said she recalled Rizzo's strolling through the neighborhood.

"Mayor Rizzo as a young cop walked the streets of the Italian Market," said Viso, 67. "He had a lot of respect around here."

Four-term City Councilman Frank Rizzo said of the mural of his father, "It's going to be nice to see it freshened up."

Rizzo said that in addition to the family pride he feels for the mural, the work holds a special political significance for him.

"That's where I launched my campaign for City Council, on that little lot," Rizzo said. "My family, Mary Mason [the radio personality], and all of my close friends were there in 1995."

Rizzo said that many in the South Philadelphia business community had made donations for the restoration. Golden said about half the $20,000 cost had been donated.

"I am pleased that the community loves that mural," Rizzo said, adding that Golden planned to put a sign at the site "so the passersby will know the mural is being redone."

Golden agreed that the mural was one of the most beloved in a city that has more than 1,700.

"There is a sense of ownership of the work," Golden said. "It is seen as a work that belongs to the community in a very personal way."

She said it was important to focus on restoration of some of the murals.

"Many of our murals have become real icons and have tremendous meaning to the community. And that's why it is absolutely critical that we have a strong mural restoration program," Golden said.

She said about 50 murals are restored each year. The new process will help the murals last well into the future, she said.

"We are using different paints now and using new sealers. We prepare our walls differently now," Golden said.

"Murals have become part of the civic landscape of Philadelphia."

Viso said officials from the mural program had contacted her about doing some painting herself.

"They are going to make me do a little tiny bit of painting so they can put my name on the mural," Viso said. "I am very honored that they think so much of me."