The 71-year-old Safeway sign at Church and Market streets is set for an upgrade from neon to LED lights in a cost-saving effort. Despite the transition, the sign's iconic red letters will remain. This overhaul indicates the closing of an era for San Francisco’s skyline, as the sign may be the last neon representation for a national brand in the city. Historical preservationists could pose challenges, mirroring past battles over similar changes in iconic signage, like the Palace Hotel's conversion.
According to SFGate, Safeway plans to convert the sign's neon lettering to LED, though the site adds that the sign's red letters will remain.
This year, Safeway will swap the sign's glass tubes for hassle-free LEDs, quietly closing out an era for San Francisco's skyline.
But will San Francisco's fussy historical preservationist tendencies try to roadblock the conversion from neon to LED? It's possible!
This particular Safeway sign is likely the last neon sign for a national brand left standing in San Francisco, marking a significant shift.
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