DALLAS -- In recent weeks, volunteers from all over Dallas helped Brent Herling complete his restoration project of the mural on Forest Lane between Rosser and Midway Roads.
Herling has been repairing the wall for the last 20 years, and he knew he had to take action when he got word that a neighbor wanted the entire brick wall painted beige.
That's when Herling, a W.T. White alumnus, decided to fund the project himself because of his personal connection with the mural. In 1977, juniors at W.T. White painted the once-bare wall.
In 1993, the local home owners' association re-did the mural, but it had yet to be updated since.
'I took one my closet doors and made a sign that said 'Help paint the wall' and held that sign on Forest to attract as much attention as possible,' Herling said.
By the end of the first day, over a dozen people pulled over to help.
'We did a lot of research to find out what belonged in different places,' Herling said. 'We found a video from 1977 where they were driving down Forest Lane.'
Herling is known to many as a local hero. He fixes all neighborhood graffiti within 24 hours because he wants his wife to feel the same connection he has to the area.
'I went out a few years ago and got rid of all the graffiti [from] Harry Hines to Central,' Herling said. 'Anything my wife would see, I removed.'
Herling knocked on 15 doors of homes that back up to the Forest Lane mural, asking homeowners for permission to fix it up. Fourteen said yes. He would leave paint on-site for volunteers to work all hours during the day and night.
That's when he noticed a neighbor painting over all of the artwork that touched his yard. Herling decided to leave that part of the wall alone after the neighbor repeatedly refused to allow it on his property.
Dallas City Councilmember Jennifer Gates told homeowners the city has no obligation to maintain the wall because it is located in the public right of way.
'We have done some research,' Gates said. 'The city attorney's office has determined that as an owner of a property abutting the wall, it is your responsibility to maintain the section of the wall that abuts your property in compliance with the Dallas City Code.'
One homeowner has already painted over a section that connects to his property. Herling agreed to not paint that particular section.
Herling's efforts attracted many Dallas natives including grandfathers, children and original artists who touched up the wall in 1993.
'I hope everyone enjoys the view for many years to come,' Herling said.
Courtney Norris is a WFAA intern for the summer of 2014 and attends the University of Texas at Austin
