FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A controversial mural that’s stood tall on Broward Boulevard since 1988 will get a fresh coat of paint and a brand-new design.
The Broward garage mural has drawn criticism over the years due to racist historical ties related to the county’s namesake, former Florida Gov. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. County officials said it’s time to move on.
“A lot of people thought, and I think rightly so, that it was very sort of tone deaf and a white washed depiction of Broward County history,” said Director of Broward’s Cultural Division, Phillip Dunlap.
The Downtown Development Authority, alongside the Avenue of the Arts Festival, joined forces with the county to make a brand-new mural possible.
The change is expected to coincide with the start of the Avenue of the Arts Festival.
The roughly five-story mural depicts various historical scenes in Broward County, including the New River, first settlers, and bustling development.
In 2002, Broward’s first Black physician, Dr. James Sistrunk, was added to the mural as an update to the piece.
Front and center, though, has always been a large image of former Gov. Broward.
He’s known for draining the Everglades for development and as a loud and proud racist and segregationist.
In years past, there have been calls to rename Broward County as a whole.
His statue was also removed from the county courthouse for similar reasons.
Surveys went out last year for ideas from the public of what should go on the mural instead.
Broward’s natural beauty, like the Everglades, was overwhelmingly popular.
The Florida Panthers were even pitched.
The county is selecting a final proposal and expects work to begin by the end of January.
“We can recognize that for the value and things it’s added to the community, but also know that we as a community are in a different place now than we were 25, 30 years ago and that it’s ok to replace it. It’s not meant to be permanent,” said Dunlap.