Ceremony for Sign (Photo: QueensPost)
July 27, 2018 By Christian Murray
A ceremony was held at the Sunnyside Arch yesterday to celebrate the long-overdue repairs to the iconic structure located at the intersection of 46th Street and Queens Boulevard.
The old metal ‘Sunnyside’ signs were replaced and outfitted with energy efficient and durable LED lights. The project cost about $17,000, with $15,000 coming through taxpayer funds via Council Member Jimmy Bramer’s office.
“This is a small but significant victory for our community,” Van Bramer said at the ceremony. “It’s the little things that add to our quality of life and in this case a sign that brings great pride. When people come off the 7 train—or pass by on the train—they will see the beautiful lights.”
Lights July 26 (PhotoL QueensPost)
Jaime-Faye Bean, the executive director of Sunnyside Shines, said the old ‘Sunnyside’ signs had corroded and were in need of being replaced. Those signs were taken down and then used as templates to cut out replacements with a laser.
The new signs were then outfitted with energy efficient and durable LED lights, thereby replacing the old lights that were installed in 2011 that were often on the fritz.
The BID is able to light up the arch for any celebration. Last night, it was lit up as a rainbow as a belated nod to Pride Month in June.
The arch has been a symbol of Sunnyside since it was erected in 1983. The last time it was renovated was in 2009 as part of a $500,000 project that also added new benches, bike racks and trees around it.
Sign Being Replaced (via Sunnyside Shines on Instagram in May)
