The Ottawa as a Canal Town mural was painted over yesterday. Remodeling is underway in the former Jim’s Formal Wear/Mr. Penguin building. The possibility of painting over the mural and putting windows in the walls was brought up more than five years ago. Those plans went on an indefinite pause, but things changed yesterday as the work of Ohio muralist Greg Ackers was covered. The building is owned by a limited liability company connected to the Justice Law Firm.
There’s been a mix of reactions to our post about the mural on Facebook. Abby McAlpine says she wasn’t crazy about the mural and she’s happy for the Justice Law Firm. Matt Skelly says it was his favorite mural, but he’s excited about owners occupying buildings downtown. Rae Marie says it’s “absolutely devastating”. She fears that in the pursuit to remain current, we dismiss the importance of the human experience.
WCMY file photo showing part of Ottawa as a Canal Town
WCMY file photo showing part of Ottawa as a Canal Town
A close up on some of the faces in Ottawa as a Canal Town. WCMY file photo
These faces are also gone, painted over to cover Ottawa as a Canal Town. WCMY file photo
Not much remains of Ottawa as a Canal Town.