The streets of Uptown Houston are turning a page as the Galleria area bids farewell to its last original solid street sign rings. This Sunday, the intersection of Westheimer and Sage roads will be barricaded, starting at 4 p.m., to pave the way for workers to dismantle an emblem that served as a directional beacon for nearly 30 years, according to information provided by the Houston Chronicle.
"It's a source of pride for what we've all done to finish this project," Michael Moore, President of the Uptown District, told the Houston Chronicle. Adopting a modern design featuring LED lights, the new street sign rings aim to streamline the aesthetic of the neighborhood. Despite some voices of dissent favoring the old rings, Moore asserts, "it's been a great reception" for the change. Workers found themselves amidst the lengthy process, taking multiple hours to erect the new design last week at Richmond Avenue and Sage Road—a procedure spanned from the late afternoon into the predawn hours.
Last weekend, the aging solid ring at the Richmond and Sage intersection was replaced. The new design maintains elements of the past while infusing them with contemporary flair. Composed of two tube rings, the top being 8 inches and the bottom 3 inches, complemented by stainless steel fins and LED lighting, the new structure is expected to present an updated look for the city. As reported by Chron, these updates have yielded mixed reactions within the community, ranging from those who appreciate the refreshed appearance to others who find them unappealing.
Remnants of the original design will not be disposed of in haste, as Moore mentioned that ideas to repurpose the old rings into art would be considered. Meanwhile, echoing the sentiments of an impressed first-time visitor, Moore reminisced to the Houston Chronicle about the irreplaceable quality of the old signs, "For first time visitors that come in and they see them, they know they're somewhere special." Despite the nostalgic value of the old rings, the community is shifting towards embracing the new, marked by a 6,000-pound testament to change hanging boldly above Houston's bustling intersections.
