Workers have begun the process of demolishing a Chapel Hill gas station that was home to a mural of the late UNC basketball coach Dean Smith. A future location for a similar mural has yet to be decided on.

The gas station, located at 1950 U.S. Highway 15-501 North, was formerly a Cruizers location before the brand was purchased by Refuel. It also featured retail space separate from the gas station that hasn’t been recently used. Now, Refuel plans to construct a new gas station and convenience store on the property. The new location will not feature a mural of Dean Smith.

The Dean Smith mural on the back of Refuel. (Henry Taylor/Chapel Hill Media Group)

The mural was painted by local artist Scott Nurkin in 2015, shortly after Smith’s passing. His other work in the area includes a Carrboro mural of folk and blues musician Elizabeth Cotten, and another of Chapel Hill-born musician Floyd Council. He is also responsible for the iconic “Greetings from Chapel Hill” mural outside of He’s Not Here.

In an interview with the News & Observer, Nurkin said he is seeking other Chapel Hill businesses who would be interested in having him repaint the legendary UNC basketball coach’s visage. As of Wednesday, April 16, he has yet to do so.

 

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