Fate Of Old Post Office Blackhawks Mural In Question

CHICAGO (CBS) -- What's to become of one of Chicago's grandest old buildings: the Old Chicago Main Post Office that looms large of the Congress Parkway.

The city is fighting to take it from its current owner, but that puts a unique piece of art in jeopardy: the Blackhawk mural.

CBS 2's Brad Edwards talked with the men behind it in this Original Report.

Chris Toepfer's canvases are the castaways. He adopts the abandoned. Without knowing, you likely know his greatest work.
"It should really the epicenter of the Loop, I really think," he said. "Instead, it's completely empty."

The famed, empty old lady that whispers "stay away" has a wink of attitude. Chris Toepfer and his son William are behind the Blackhawk mural.

William says his dad, "boards up abandoned buildings and paints the paneling inside so that it looks less abandoned."
Then, they decided to paint the Blackhawks logo.

"Four pieces of paneling, we painted it to look like a Blackhawk and put it up in a window," William said.

"I think I was partly responsible for them winning, I really do," Chris said.

William says it brought luck.

"I'm worried," William said. "What happens if they take it down?"

They put it up just before the Blackhawks' binge of Stanley Cups.

"I hope someone can do something with this building," Chris said. "It's an incredible space."

Chris says he hopes the mural stays.