Colored lights brighten Hillcrest night
LED devices shine up onto palm trees
BY KAITLIN SCHLUTER, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2010 AT 9:41 P.M.
The skies of Hillcrest lit up with dazzling colors Thursday night — and it wasn’t even Independence Day.
More than 50 LED devices have been installed in the median along University Avenue between 10th Avenue and Normal Street. The Hillcrest Business Association funded the project, which took six months to complete and cost roughly $70,000. The devices, which shine upward onto palm trees, can be programmed to give off different hues for community events and holidays.
These include all the colors of the rainbow for the San Diego LGBT Pride week, red and yellow for San Diego City Fest, and green and purple for Mardi Gras.
“If the Chargers win a game ... we can do blue and gold,” said Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association.
Each fixture contains flat little panels that generate light and color. The display is programmed by computer software to shine any palette. It’s green-friendly, too, giving off no heat and designed for longevity so bulbs don’t have to be changed often.
Dianne Sheridan, lighting specialist with Dianne Sheridan Designs, worked on the project, which contains a special clock that notifies the system to turn on once the sun disappears.
The hope is that the glow attracts patrons like moths.
“It’s a tangible reflection of the vibrant business community that’s already there,” said San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria, whose district includes Hillcrest. He was invited to flip the switch Thursday.
The Hillcrest Business Association has posted a clip of the lights on YouTube.
Kaitlin Schluter: (619) 293-2043; kaitlin.schluter@uniontrib.com
- Posted using BlogPress mobile by Kat
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