Sunnyside Arch (Nov. 9, 2018 QueensPost)
Nov. 14, 2018 By Christian Murray
The on-again-off-again lights on the Sunnyside arch continue to be on the fritz.
The lights have been dark for months and stopped working shortly after they were replaced and revamped to much fanfare in July.
Jaime-Faye Bean, executive director of Sunnyside Shines, said that water appears to have got through the protective epoxy disrupting the power source. She said that she is in the process of getting the contractor out to repair them.
“The arch is very exposed to the elements and we were assured that the lights would be weatherized [when they were replaced],” Bean said. She said that she hopes they will be repaired in time for the holiday season.
via Sunnyside Shines on Instagram in May
The arch was outfitted with durable LED lights as part of the overhaul, which were supposed to be more reliable than the old neon lights.
The neon lights, which went up in 2011, constantly failed. They didn’t work at all last year—prompting their replacement.
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer allocated $15,000 toward the upgrade, which included funds for the new ‘Sunnyside’ sign since the old ones had corroded.
The lights, when working, allow the BID to light them up in an array of different colors in celebration of various holidays.
The arch was built in 1983 and stands 25 feet above the intersection of 46th Street and Queens Boulevard.
So much fun to see the #Sunnyside sign lit again and to see the reactions of everyone passing by. Lots of folks stopping to take pictures! Proud to have funded the restoration of this iconic sign. I love our neighborhood! pic.twitter.com/4t2F1jVtQB
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) July 27, 2018
