CITGO Upgrades Famed Boston Sign

The CITGO Sign in Boston’s Kenmore Square, one of the most iconic landmarks of the Boston skyline, is set to undergo major upgrades. The 45-year-old, 3,600-square-foot sign will have all its LED lights replaced with more technologically advanced and environmentally friendly versions. The upgrades, which started in July, required that the sign go dark while the work is done. However, the sign will be relit by October when baseball’s playoffs begin.

“Since 1940, when the original Cities Service sign was installed in Kenmore Square, our company’s sign has served as a landmark for Boston residents and baseball fans alike,” said Gustavo Velásquez, vice president of Supply and Marketing for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. “Whether as a target for Red Sox sluggers blasting home runs over the Green Monster, or as a source of inspiration at the end of the grueling Boston Marathon, everyone knows and loves the sign.”

More than 9,000 feet of lights will be replaced on the double-sided, 60-foot by 60-foot square sign, said to be the largest sign in New England. The new lights are specially designed to flex so they can withstand high winds and extreme temperature variations that the sign is exposed to in Boston’s variable climate. New acrylic covers will provide brighter, more vibrant colors and standup better to UV rays to ensure the sign shines brightly for years to come.