Coca-Cola To Replace Outdoor Neon Sign In San Francisco
Published:27-November-2009
By Staff Reporter
To use LED display, which it claims is 80% more energy efficient
The Coca-Cola Company has revealed its plans to replace the neon sign in San Francisco’s South of Market district. Coca-Cola has maintained a display alongside the southbound lanes on the I-80 freeway heading in to downtown San Francisco for more than 75 years.
The company claimed that in its place will be a LED display that is consistent in size and brightness with the existing sign but 80% more energy efficient and is to be powered by sustainable and certified ‘green’ energy.
The display, located at 701 Bryant St (Bryant and 5th St) and near San Francisco’s flower market, is visible to drivers approaching the Bay Bridge from the south/east and disembarking the bridge from the north.Work on replacing the sign will begin on the weekend of November 28-29, 2009.
Bea Perez, senior vice president of integrated marketing at Coca-Cola North America, said: “For decades the historic Coca-Cola sign has greeted those crossing the Bay Bridge and those who live and work nearby with a warm welcome to San Francisco. It is our desire for the new energy efficient and technologically advanced sign to offer the same hospitable message.”
To begin preparations for installation, power will be shut off to the existing display. Skilled display and lighting workers will begin dismantling and removing the display faces. By December 11, it will be completely disassembled and the installation of the replacement faces will begin. The metal materials and wiring from the existing faces will be recycled as much as possible and items such as the old neon will be disposed of in accordance with environmental guidelines.
The new sign will now also feature the familiar Spenserian script of the Coca-Cola logo on both the north and south of the display.
Laura Younkin, message integration manager of Coca-Cola North America, said: “The Coca-Cola Company has a companywide commitment to engage in environmentally responsible and sustainable energy practices for all aspects of our business.
“We took a multifaceted approach to lighting, construction materials and mounting, to create the most energy efficient display as possible. We also kept in mind the aesthetics and history of our sign in the area. I am very pleased that we have been able to secure 100% green energy for the reduced power requirements of the sign.”
The company said that in addition to the environmental benefits from powering the new display, its lighter weight and structural upgrades offer additional earthquake stability.
The new display will be engineered and assembled by Yesco, a manufacturer and supplier of electronic displays in the US. They will manufacture the display in Reno, Nevada and it will be reassembled in San Francisco starting December 11. The replacement displays will be in place and relit by the end of December. Coca-Cola also plans a ‘flip-the-switch’ ceremony to celebrate relighting the new sign.
