LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Santa Monica Pier sign displayed on Ocean Avenue was temporarily removed last week to be restored in Las Vegas, the city of Santa Monica announced.
The iconic blue neon sign’s removal and refurbishment are part of the ongoing Pier Bridge Replacement Project, which will replace the aging bridge connecting Ocean Avenue to the Pier.
Following its restoration, the sign will return to the top of the new Pier bridge, the city said.
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“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. “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.”
The sign removal and restoration work will be led by YESCO, a Las Vegas-based company that has restored the 105-year-old Sweet Candy Company sign and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, according to the release..
The sign was wrapped and loaded onto transport vehicles and is anticipated to begin its journey to YESCO’s secure Las Vegas facility on Monday, Oct. 26.
Restoration work will include:
- Repairing and restoring the neon tubing
- Removing rust and treating affected areas
- Repainting the sign and its supporting components
- Completing necessary structural repairs
- Preserving the sign’s historic features
The sign will remain stored at YESCO’s facility while Pier Bridge construction continues. When the project is complete, the restored sign will be reinstalled at a slightly higher elevation to improve visibility and provide additional clearance for vehicles, the city said.
Visitors can still capture the classic Pier sign photo while the original is away. The city has installed a temporary, half-scale replica on the Pier to preserve the photo tradition throughout construction. The replica is located just before Pier Burger on the left side of the Pier, offering views of the Pacific Park roller coaster and Santa Monica shoreline, according to the city.
The Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project is intended to improve the safety, accessibility and long-term reliability of the gateway while maintaining access to the Pier and its businesses, the city said. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2028, in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
For project updates, visit the Santa Monica Pier.
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