New mural in downtown Visalia where fire destroyed 3 businesses

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- New art is giving life to boarded-up walls after a fire destroyed three businesses in downtown Visalia in May.

The mural is almost complete. The two-week project is expected to wrap up by the end of this week.

The mural is expected to enhance the community while construction is underway behind the artwork.

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"We wanted to create a positive nature down here," says Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen. "This is a pretty drab-looking block for downtown."

The city's mayor says the building owners are moving quickly to re-construct the space for Jimmy John's and Alejandra's Restaurant.

Once the boarded-up walls are removed, they will replace another mural across the street, where a fire also took place about four years ago.