"The Pope of Broadway" looms 70 feet tall over a modest parking lot, paint peeling from the visage of Mexican-American actor Anthony Quinn.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 saw the celebration of the beginning of its restoration, following the end to an 11-year ban on public murals in Los Angeles. Councilman Jose Huizar, actor Edward James Olmos, and the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles held a press conference in the parking lot to celebrate the planned restoration.

"When I was a kid from New Mexico we used to play in these ruins, old Spanish ruins. And these walls reminded me kind of that structure, and kind of an altar piece," said artist Eloy Torrez about his choice of location.

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Torrez originally painted the mural in 1985, and will lead the repairs on his work. Over the decades, his art has achieved a symbolic status.

The story of Anthony Quinn, who emigrated from Mexico as a child and ascended from gardener to Hollywood star, has inspired Angelenos, particularly in the Latino/Latina community.

"To me this is like the Hollywood sign for the Latino community," said Valentina Castellani, partner of Anthony Quinn's late son, Francesco Quinn.

"He made it to become one of the most important international actors. What's important is his story because it stands as a symbol of a dream that came true, as a symbol for the Latino youth that with the right ethics and the right attitude we can actually achieve such a dream," said Castellani. 

Tests for the mural restoration will begin next month.

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