Mural in Downtown Cedar Rapids covers up Graffiti

One of the walls of Downtown Tire in Cedar Rapids was hit a few days ago with graffiti and gang signs. An ugly, ignorant mark that would have to be covered up. But what appeared on that wall Thursday morning surprised everyone. An anonymous artist covered up the ugly signs with a mural of the 1982 movie  'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial'.

People have been stopping by to admire the artwork. And you'd better hurry too. City code requires the artwork to be covered up. I understand that city codes are in place for a reason, but I think a work of art like this brightens up the building and the downtown area as a whole.

UPDATE:  The City of Cedar Rapids has said that the mural can stay, as long as the owners of the business are OK with it being there. Downtown Tire says it can stay!