Originally Posted by
The BU Daily Free Press
Citgo sign sees changes
Carlene Olsen
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: News
Print
Email
Article Tools
Page 1 of 1
Media Credit: Nikki Miller
The Citgo sign in Kenmore Square undergoes renovations to its west-facing side.
The Citgo sign is undergoing its first major facelift since it was erected in Kenmore Square in 1965, but there will be no major changes to the landmark's design.
Robert Sawyer, long time caretaker of the Citgo sign, explained the need for the current renovation.
"Imagine what it's like to be exposed to the wind and the rain at its height," Sawyer said. "The sign has been exposed to a lot of elements over the past 40 years."
Sawyer explained that although the sign has undergone maintenance work in the past, the effects of its age require additional work to be done.
"Everything is being upgraded, but visually nothing will change," Sawyer said. "The sign is an important part of the Boston city landscape."
The renovations, which began in early September, were briefly halted during the World Series, but are expected to be completed sometime next month.
"It was done in such a way that we did not touch the Fenway Park side until after the World Series," Sawyer said.
Sawyer said construction workers did not want to touch the sign's west-facing side because of fan superstition. He said fans were upset after the Red Sox lost a game against the Baltimore Orioles last year on a night when the Citgo sign was turned off for maintenance repairs.
"The next morning Mayor [Thomas] Menino arranged to have the sign turned on for good luck and that night the Sox won," he said. "It was important that the Fenway Park side was not touched until after the World Series."
College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Andrew Rahmberg, a Massachusetts resident and longtime Red Sox fan, said the construction delay was a good idea.
"I was glad to see that Fenway looked the same during the World Series games, complete with the Citgo sign," he said.
Although baseball season is over, the Citgo sign is still on the minds of many who are accustomed to its place in Boston's skyline.
CAS sophomore Elizabeth Estienne said she hopes the sign will be burning bright soon again.
"I live right across the street from it so I want them to hurry up and finish," she said. "It feels kind of empty without it."
Boston-area residents agreed the Citgo sign's current lack of luminescence is discomforting.
"You can't see it anymore from a distance," said Lynn resident Victor Wilson. "The sign is a very notable landmark."
Paul Bolden, a Boston resident, said he cannot understand how so many people view the sign as a city landmark, even though it has not received official landmark status by the Federal Government.
"I was surprised that the sign was being maintained, but it doesn't really affect me at all," he said.
Posting Permissions
