PHOTOS: Mural Unveiling in Downtown Mokena
The latest installation of the Illinois Lincoln Highway mural series was unveiled Saturday on Front Street.
Photos
Mokena residents gathered in the parking lot of State Bank of Illinois Saturday morning for the unveiling of the latest mural in the Illinois Lincoln Highway mural series.
The mural, which is mounted on the wall of 11104 Front Street in downtown Mokena, depicts the Cooper & Hostert Garage, which was the area’s first Ford dealership and was a part of the Mokena business community for more than 50 years.
Mokena’s is the 30th of 35 murals in the series to be unveiled and is the eighth out of nine murals in the Chicago Southland. The series is being facilitated by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition. When completed, the murals will tell the story of Lincoln Highway.
The Cooper & Hostert mural is valued at $10,000 and, with the exception of installation and maintenance costs, it is being funded entirely by federal and state grants.
Mokena Mayor Joe Werner spoke at the unveiling, where he recognized the village board and the Mokena Area Historical Society for their roles in bringing the project to fruition. He also acknowledged descendants of the original owners of the Cooper & Hostert Garage, as well as a former employee of the garage, all of whom were in attendance for Saturday’s event.
Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:
the shadow
7:20 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
I noticed that most of the village board was on hand for the unveiling of the mural, with the exception of Don Labriola. He's conspiuous by his absence yet again.
Amanda Bowl
8:21 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Labriola is always very rude to the Village Board. He needs to grow up.
Eric Blair
8:51 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Ten G’s for that? Burned again, but our elected officials love it. That’s all that matters. Public be damned.
Rob Roy
9:59 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Where is Metanias? All you mean spirited and and small minded hypocrites can't see the forest for the trees. Instead of being happy for the village you worry about useless minutia. So where was George? Did he hide from the camera?
Tom Sternich
10:34 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Metanias had a previous commitment as I understand and could not be there. Metanias has given back to this community in the past 15 years then anyone I know. and that's a fact. Don't be a hater.
Mario Picciola
12:54 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Murals are nice, but what we really need is a revitalization of our downtown business district. Who cares about photo ops? Bring in business ops!
Johnny on the spot
1:52 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Don has done more for the downtown merchant's then any of those in the photo op!!!!
The mural per the guidelines of the grant will be short lived as it is to be placed on route 30 read the guidelines set in place this is temporary to say the least ,Don has been sick recently all public knowledge if Amanda would actually pay attention to the board meetings . Metanis is never around unless it involves his name personally he is all about himself .If any of these great elected official's of ours actually cared about downtown they would be involved further in those missed oppurtunities ,Sowinski is some great real estate guru why doe'snt he step up for once and instead of forcing people from their homes do somethign for the village and take care of the empty store fronts ,Do any of you politicians actually think this mural will bring people downtown ..............I don't because there is no business's there to enjoy while viewing this $ 10,000 nightmare ,how much will the village pay to have to have it moved back to route 30 after the state finds out it is not where it was designated to be ,they will just forefiet the grant money is all!!!!!!!!!!
Time to stay awake Mokena and realize the current elected officials have nothing but their own self interest at heart and elect better more qualified people who care about this towns future!!!!!!
dale evans
3:03 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
I wonder at what point these communities will 'pass' on 'free' grant money? Surely that pork money comes from somewhere- borrowed from China perhaps?
I would be more impressed if they returned the money for this ugly and silly little poster. Oink Oink !
Dark Shadow
7:03 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Metanias is there, look real closely behind Mayor Werner ! Look close !