News Summary
Residents of Mountain View are increasingly frustrated with the delays in the restoration of ‘The Black Family’ sculpture, which symbolizes local pride. Despite receiving state funding and community support, work has yet to commence, leaving advocates concerned about the neglect of their cultural monument. The sculpture, once a key historical symbol, now stands in disrepair, and the community continues to seek updates and action from city officials. As progress on other projects contrasts sharply, residents hope for timely restoration efforts to revive their beloved statue.
Mountain View – Nearly two years have passed since city leaders announced state funding for the restoration of ‘The Black Family’ sculpture in Mountain View Park, an initiative driven by community advocates who are increasingly frustrated with the prolonged delays. The sculpture, which symbolizes pride and belonging, was created in 1974 by artist Rossie Wade and features four figures reaching for the sky. Despite receiving $195,000 earmarked for its restoration, work has yet to commence, leaving residents yearning for a cultural monument that once represented their community.
The sculpture, which stands six feet tall, celebrated local football star Neal Petties and was originally installed at Mountain View Park, now known as Neal Petties Mountain View Community Park. Over the years, it has succumbed to extensive weathering and vandalism, ultimately disintegrating into a mere pedestal and a worn plaque. This deterioration has spurred community members, particularly advocate Jeffrey Hayes, to campaign for its restoration. Hayes has been deeply invested in the project, taking initiative by cleaning the remnants of the sculpture.
Following the announcement of state funding in August 2023, Mayor Todd Gloria highlighted plans to allocate nearly $25 million to various projects across San Diego, including the allocated funds for the sculpture’s restoration. The restoration plans have noted involvement from welding students at the San Diego College of Continuing Education alongside their professor, Mike Bradbury, who will also work on restoring a smaller version of the original piece. Optimism filled the community after these plans were reported, indicating a collective hope for the return of a beloved symbol.
In January 2024, a replica of ‘The Black Family’ sculpture was completed and displayed on a parade float, creating excitement and reaffirming local support for the restoration. However, despite these initiatives and a City Council vote in March 2024 approving state funding, tangible progress remains absent. City officials initially indicated that physical restoration work would start in the fall of 2024 and be completed by fall 2025. But as of now, no construction activities have been initiated, and the project has not advanced beyond the pre-construction phase.
The community’s frustration has only intensified with the lack of updates. As conveyed in February communications from city officials to a supportive group, the city is still navigating the procurement process and collaborating on design decisions with Wade’s daughters and the Mountain View community group. Furthermore, the city has yet to finalize vital paperwork with the San Diego Continuing Education Foundation, which is essential for moving forward with the construction.
Residents have expressed disappointment as the conditions surrounding the park have become neglected, with trash and weeds taking the place of the once-honored statue. This neglect reflects a broader historical pattern of insufficient attention from city officials toward both the park and the surrounding community. Meanwhile, progress on other projects funded by the same state allocation contrasts sharply with the stagnation of ‘The Black Family’ sculpture, amplifying concerns within the community about prioritization.
The ongoing delays in restoring ‘The Black Family’ sculpture have led community members to seek regular updates, as they view its restoration as an opportunity to revive an important symbol of hope and pride in their neighborhood. The prolonged absence of the statue not only undermines local cultural identity but also showcases the broader challenges faced by the community in receiving timely support from city leadership. As advocates continue to push for action on the restoration, the community remains hopeful that their beloved sculpture will soon be returned to its rightful place in Mountain View Park.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Two years ago, San Diego got money to restore a beloved statue
- Wikipedia: Sculpture
- South Dakota Searchlight: Funding for Trump statue garden
- Google Search: Mountain View Park
- NBC San Diego: Community calls for replacement statue celebrating the Black family
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black Family sculpture
- Axios San Diego: Neal Petties Mountain View Community Park name meaning
- Google News: Community sculpture restoration
