The Paramount Theatre Replaces Their Iconic Sign

Seattle Theatre Group, owners and operators of the historic Paramount Theatre will replace the iconic blue and gold vertical sign outlined in neon, which has illuminated the corner of 9th & Pine since March 1930, will be replaced this week with an exact replica. The replacement will take place Tuesday, October 6 - Thursday, October 8, 2009.

Although identical in appearance, the updated sign is engineered with more environmentally responsible materials and energy efficient lighting systems. The City of Seattle's Landmark Preservation Board approves this endeavor and the new sign will immediately be placed on the historic landmark list.

The Paramount Theatre
911 Pine Street (corner of 9th & Pine)
Downtown Seattle

BACKGROUND:
THE STRUCTURE
The vertical sign is anchored by steel i-beams that are structurally attached to the building. The skeletal support of the structure welded to these i-beams will remain and be protected with painted finish. The visible sheet metal portions of the sign, including the letters and lighting fixtures, have decayed beyond repair and will be replaced.

To create the new vertical sign, The Sign Factory of Kirkland collected measurements and detailed information regarding every piece of steel, nut, bolt, sheet metal, screws and paint samples from all surfaces. In addition, hand rubbings of the entire surface, using (14) 4' x 10' sheets of paper, were used to provide an accurate outline of each angle in the sign. All of this information was brought back to The Sign Factory's shop where a computer design was made to match the data from the site. "We paid meticulous attention to every detail in order to maintain the authentic look and feel of the original historic sign while updating it with modern energy saving electronics and technology," said Jim Risher, President of The Sign Factory.

The sheet metal will be replaced with aluminum, a lighter and weather resistant material. As defined by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the aluminum for building restoration must be made of 30% recycled materials; The new Paramount sign exceeds this as it was made of 17% post-consumer and 27% post-industrial aluminum materials.

THE ELECTRICAL
The newly replicated sign is approximately 90% more energy efficient. Magnetic transformers are placed with Ventex High Power Factor (HPF) electronic transformers to power the neon portions of the sign. These units will save up to 66% of the energy currently being consumed by the neon lights.

Additionally, The Paramount vertical sign has 1,932 incandescent bulbs using 11 watts per bulb, driven by several large mechanical chasers. "We have tested many types of bulbs to find the right one and are happy to have found an LED bulb that will use .75 watts per bulb, driven by electrical chasers, creating the same effect we are used to seeing but also using a lot less energy," said David Allen, STG's Director of Operations. Allen continues, "and although the mechanical chasers will no longer be needed, they will remain in place for historical tours. They don't make them like that anymore!"

FUNDING: Paramount Sign of the Times - Restoration, Replication and Greening, a community fundraising campaign is underway. To date, STG has raised over two-thirds of the amount needed to complete the project. Total cost for the Paramount vertical sign replication and marquee restoration is $616,000. Over the past month, STG has asked the Seattle community to contribute to the cause and is happy to have raised 45,000, but still needs an additional $110,000 to reach the total cost of the project. For more information about the project and to donate online, visit www.stgpresents.org/signofthetimes or TEXT using your mobile phone - text the word SIGN to 40579 now and a donation of $5.00 will be added to your regular phone bill.

STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

 

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