San Pedro’s Light-Up Welcome Sign Anticipated for Installation in First Half of 2025
Four years after the idea was first floated, an illuminated "welcome" sign for San Pedro’s downtown/harbor district could finally see the light early this year.
Mired in L.A. city red tape spanning several departments — and bringing some complications of its own — the sign is nearing its final lap. That has required a change to using solar energy rather than the Department of Water and Power’s electrical grid. But had the original electric power plan stayed in place, supporters were looking at close to yet another year of back-and-forth reviews and study within the DWP alone, sign supporters said.
The Sign’s Development
The proposal for the sign on Sixth Street, just off of Harbor Boulevard, has been in the city’s engineering department for the past year, undergoing additional review. But more recently, it has had a push from Los Angeles councilmember Tim McOsker, whose aides have been monitoring the proposal in what is hoped will be its final stages.
"The illuminated welcome sign in San Pedro has been in development for approximately two to three years as part of a San Pedro BID-sponsored project to be built within the City Right of Way," McOsker said in an emailed statement. "Over this time, the project has secured approvals from the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Board of Public Works. Currently, the San Pedro BID is working with engineers from the Bureau of Engineering’s Harbor District to secure permits, a necessary step for approving schematic and structural drawings to allow construction in the public right of way."
Design and Installation
The sign is designed to light up from dusk to about 4 a.m. when using solar power as opposed to plugging in, said Ryan Blaney, director of the downtown property owners Business Improvement District, which has sponsored the sign plans. The sign should be up in time for the Los Angeles Fleet Week event on Memorial Day weekend at the nearby USS Battleship Iowa, he said.
"The sign is nearly finished building, the design of which was chosen by popular vote out of three options," Blaney said. "The project has cost about $200,000."
Challenges and Progress
Among the changes to hurry it along was the pivot from electrical to solar power "to avoid dealing with DWP," said Blaney. The sign should be up in time for the Los Angeles Fleet Week event on Memorial Day weekend at the nearby USS Battleship Iowa, he said.
The sign is designed to light up from dusk to about 4 a.m. when using solar power as opposed to plugging in, Blaney said, adding that the operating time may lose about 30 minutes by using former option. But what also is lost, he said, is enduring probably 9-10 months more in delays just to get the sign installed and running.
Conclusion
The San Pedro Electric Sign Co. is nearly finished building the sign, the design of which was chosen by popular vote out of three options. The project has cost about $200,000, and the sign should be up in time for the Los Angeles Fleet Week event on Memorial Day weekend at the nearby USS Battleship Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the sign be installed?
The sign is expected to be installed in the first half of 2025. - What is the design of the sign?
The sign is designed to light up from dusk to about 4 a.m. when using solar power as opposed to plugging in, with a cantilevered design anchored on one side and stretching part way in a straight design over Sixth Street. - How much has the project cost?
The project has cost about $200,000. - When will the sign be lit up?
The sign will be lit up from dusk to about 4 a.m. when using solar power as opposed to plugging in.
