The original mural at 20th and Fernon streets was painted in 1989 as a memorial to more than 40 young people from the South Philadelphia community who lost their lives to violence.
"Behind every name there is a story, a human being," said Tracey Anderson, who has lived in area of the mural for 58 years.
"When the mural went down, I felt like they had been taking a piece of our community," she said.
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The incident blew up on social media, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson stepped in, leading the effort to get the mural restored.
She painted the original mural during her work with the Anti-Graffiti Network under former Mayor Wilson Goode.
Mural Arts brought in Felix St. Fort to design the new mural with input from the community. It has a new design but includes the names of the original mural.
"It was our responsibility to make good on it," he said. "It was an important part of the community and the history of the community."
Anna Barker lives in the home where the new mural exists. She says it's win-win situation.
"I think it's just been a huge asset to the community," said Barker. "When I heard about it, I knew it was just the right thing to do."