Street With Black Lives Matter Mural Reopens To Traffic

Drivers in uptown Charlotte can now drive down South Tryon Street after it has been closed for months following the creation of a large Black Lives Matter mural along the road. In a meeting Monday night, the city council voted 10-1 to reopen the uptown road on Tuesday, November 10.

The mural was created in June by 17 local artists and volunteers following demonstrations across the country in the wake of George Floyd's death. The stretch of road between Third and Fourth Streets was closed to encourage visitors to stop by the mural, but it was quickly defaced by tire tracks, according to WCNC. The artists returned and put a clear coat on top to help protect it.

Since the street's closure in June, businesses say they have experienced a negative impact on customer traffic.

Councilman Braxton Winston was the only dissent on the vote. He had previously made a motion to keep the road closed to traffic until December 31 so the city could figure out another plan for the mural. In the mean time, it would have been used as a pedestrian plaza. Ultimately the board voted to fully reopen the road.

"By opening up this street and letting this Black Lives Matter mural fade away, we are saying McCormick & Schmick's valet is valued more than Black lives right now," he said.

City leaders said they want to find another place for the mural, such as a permanent pedestrian plaza, but they need more time to come up with a plan.

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