Let's preserve the Painted Storefront gates of Harlem

Let's tell New York City Council to preserve the painted store front gates on 125th St.

We want the storefront gates to be preserved and a new location found for displaying the gates that is now part of Harlem's culture and history..


Franco the Great Franco began painting on the store front gates of 125th Street (Harlem, USA) in 1978. Prior to Franco painting the gates, 125th street looked dreary. The metal storefront gates made 125th Street look like a prison. Franco started painting the gates on 125th Street to help beautify the neighborhood. The painted gates have given the Harlem community hope. Franco has painted over 200 gates on 125th Street from River to River throughout the 30 years that he has been painting on 125th Street. Franco was not paid for painting the storefront gates. The painting of the storefront gates is his contribution to the Harlem community. Currently there are 25 gates that still exist. There has been a few gates already dispose of and put in the trash. Their is a law that has been passed in January 2010 that states the owners of the stores must take the store front metal gates down and replace them with the new 75\% see through gates. Franco has already accepted the fact that the change must take place. Franco is not fighting this change. Franco would like to see the storefront gates (that must come down) preserved and a new location be found to hang the gates.