In 2013, Australian artist Jimmy C created a David Bowie mural on the side of Morleys, a department store in the late songwriter’s childhood neighborhood of Brixton. Since Bowie’s death, the South London site has been used as a shrine. Fans and admirers have been leaving flowers and written tributes that memorialize the fallen Starman, and now the mural is to be listed to ensure it remains protected.

Lambeth Council, a governing body that presides over the London borough of Lambeth, has discussed renaming the spot where the mural sits. The council has also toyed with a few different ideas for a permanent memorial.

“It is ultimately the family’s decision as to what may be appropriate. We must respect that and be patient,” said Cllr Lib Peck, the leader of the council, in a statement. “Lambeth residents have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection visibly demonstrated by floral tributes, messages and people visiting the Bowie mural to pay their respects to this unique ‘Brixton boy’.

Thus far, the council’s street cleaning team has left all flowers at the site, but beginning next week they’ll be removed. They have commissioned a photographer, though, to take photos of all messages and tributes left for Bowie. They’ll be mounted and shared, and Morley’s has promised to preserve all messages written on the brick wall. Any other non-perishable items will be stored in the council archives.

The Lambeth Council has truly gone above and beyond to make sure their memorializing is comprehensive. Peck continued: “We are also in contact with the Bowie fan club and other Brixton organisations who want to honour the memory and legacy of this extraordinary artist. We will share any word we get from his family that will determine what we do next.”

I can’t really think of anything else that could be done after all of this. Can you? Let us know in the comments.

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HT: Billboard

IMAGE: frankieleon