Iconic Santa Monica landmark dismantled as major pier makeover gets under way
Santa Monica’s most iconic sign came down Friday in a bid to restore it to its old glory, and the California Post was there to capture the dismantling.The 20-foot blue neon arch, a fixture above the entrance of the Santa Monica Pier since 1941, will be hauled away and shipped to Las Vegas as Santa Monica embarks on a multimillion-dollar bridge overhaul.The vintage sign could remain out of sight for nearly a year while crews replace the 87-year-old bridge beneath it.
The sign will be restored by YESCO, an American manufacturer that also worked on the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, before returning to its perch atop the rebuilt bridge, according to the city.“The sign is not being removed permanently or replaced,” the City of Santa Monica website reads.“It is being refurbished and its historic character will remain intact.”“It will be returned — looking better than ever — to its rightful place at the top of the bridge when construction is complete, expected in late 2027.”“Few sights are as instantly recognizable as the Santa Monica Pier sign, and generations of residents and visitors have memories tied to seeing it at the entrance to the Pier,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said in a statement.
“This careful refurbishment will preserve the sign’s history while ensuring this beloved landmark can continue welcoming people to the Pier for decades to come.And in the meantime, the temporary sign will continue to offer visitors the opportunity to capture that quintessential Santa Monica Pier moment.” That temporary sign is a half-scale replica installed along the temporary walkway.The whole remake is part of a $35.5 million bridge replacement project awarded to Shimmick Construction Company. The taxpayer-funded overhaul will replace the aging connection between the pier and city streets with a new bridge built to modern seismic standards, along with wider pedestrian sidewalks and redesigned walkways.The new structure is expected to have a ...