Community leaders in Mayfair have been busy lately making sure the neighborhood looks nice.
The Mayfair Community Development Corporation, the Mayfair Civic Association and the Mayfair Business Improvement District joined forces in a variety of ways.
Hanging along Frankford Avenue are new green metal “Mayfair” signs.
In addition, the war monument on Ryan Avenue, on the edge of Abraham Lincoln High School’s campus, has been cleaned up and a large American flag installed.
American flags continue to fly around the 2.2-mile Lincoln Loop.
And new “Mayfair Salutes” banners are hanging on Rowland Avenue, from Hartel Avenue to Ryan Avenue, and on Ryan, as part of phase one of a tribute to active and former military veterans.
“We have new Mayfair signs, put new flags up, we were finally able to get in the memorial and clean it up, and our newest endeavor is the Mayfair Salutes banners,” said Donny Smith, executive director of the Mayfair BID.
The American flags have been flying for a decade and are paid for through donations collected by the Mayfair Civic Association. Old flags are retired at Lambie Funeral Home.
To make a donation, go to http://www.mayfaircivicassociation.com/ and click just below the American flag.
“People love them. We get comments all the time, and it’s all private donations,” Smith said.
Community leaders were happy they were able to hang the first batch of Mayfair Salutes banners by July 4.
Anyone can buy a banner to honor a loved one who serves or served in the military. The cost is $225, which includes the banner, hardware and installation. Families can request a specific location, and will be accommodated if the space is available. The honored veteran can be from anywhere in the country.
“So many people reached out,” Smith said of those who saw the banners being installed.
When the banners fade, in three years or so, they can be replaced at a lower cost.
So far, 31 are hanging, and families have been taking plenty of photos of the banners, which include a picture of the veteran in military uniform.
The banners are prominently displayed, not at locations where they would be obscured from trees, wires or signs.
For more information on purchasing a Mayfair Salutes banner, email [email protected].
Phase two is already in the works.
“We’d like to complete the loop,” Smith said. ••
