KTKA

Even though they are about $6,000 short, Chesney Park neighbors kicked off the area's latest community art project this morning.

A group of about 15 will transform the blank walls on a city building near 20th and Western into a new mural, depicting the past and present of the Chesney Park Neighborhood and Topeka.

The mural is expected to cost $28,600. All but $6,000 of that was provided by a Weed and Seed grant and business and individual donations.

"All we're down to now is the paint and the brushes," said Tom Benaka, President of the Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. "I have faith the community will come through in the next couple of weeks."

David Lowenstein, is a mural artist from Lawrence, he will be leading residents in this creative effort, but the whole community will be involved.

"It's about community pride in the Chesney Park Neighborhood and bringing the city together on a project that everybody can be proud of," Benaka said.

The project has been in the works for 1 1/2 years. A committee of 14 people have meet twice a week to choose the images that will be given to Lowenstein, who will transfer them onto the wall.

At the end of October, the painting will begin on the 60-foot mural. At that point, all community members are invited to pick up a paintbrush and help create what Benaka hopes will be an on-going project.

The wall is 900 feet long. After the first 60 feet are finished this year, Benaka hopes the city will continue the mural on the remaining 840-foot portion of the wall.

Protecting the mural from vandalism is a concern. Benaka said the Aaron Douglas Mural at 12th and Lane streets has been up for one year and has not been vandalized. He hopes that will be the case for the Chesney Park mural. He also said he will work through the Weed and Seed program and graffitihurts.org to prevent vandalism.