Theater marquee to be replaced

DOWNEY - What's playing at the Downey Theatre? Soon, a simple glance out your car's window should answer that question.The City Council agreed to appropriate $94,000 this week to replace the broken theater marquee and electronic sign outside the Embassy Suites. In its place will stand a slightly larger monochrome amber electronic message center. Similar to what's already in place, the new structure will be composed of four separate pieces, including a 10-ft. tall aluminum base, 54-in. high Downey Theatre signage, 6-ft. tall message board, and 13 1/2-ft. tall Embassy Suites sign. The city will enjoy exclusive control over the programming and operation of the message center, although the Embassy is entitled up to 30 percent of the sign's available message time, according to Thad Phillips, Downey's director of community services. The city will be responsible for the sign's service and maintenance, but the Embassy will cover the cost of electricity, Phillips wrote in a staff report. Built in 1983, the sign has been non-operational the past three years. In 2006, the City Council approved spending $150,000 to replace the sign, and the funds have been continually carried over. The hotel was sold last summer, and is now ready to move forward with the project, Phillips wrote in the report. ********** Published: January 16, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 39