It’s been a long time coming, but the decrepit and time-worn marquees that for so many years have stood at the three entrances of our campus are getting a much-needed makeover.
Gone are the signs of old, with their faded and cracked white backgrounds and announcements with missing letters because the characters wouldn’t stick.
Gone are the days of driving past Pierce College and grimacing at the eye-sore on the southeast corner of Victory Boulevard and Mason Avenue, a shadow of its former self from an era that has long since faded into memory.
And how about the practically non-existent marquee on De Soto Avenue?
College president Robert Garber said no one’s put anything on that one for years.
Or the one on Winnetka Avenue which students and faculty alike most likely drive by without so much as a second glance.
“Those signs that we just traded out, I don’t think in the 30 years that I’ve been associated with Pierce, I’ve ever seen them replaced,” Garber said.
“Right now, all of our entrances are pretty much invisible,” he added.
As a result, Garber and company have put up newer signs to replace the obsolete ones.
They are emblazoned with the school’s colors and its name in big, bold white letters.
Still, the campus deserves more than just a shiny new piece of plastic.
It’s not that we’re ungrateful.
Indeed, they are an aesthetic improvement when compared to their predecessors, and the one at Mason Avenue and Victory Boulevard actually lights up at night. Thanks for that.
We know there are probably other matters that take precedence over this, but at the same time, this should have been addressed long ago.
With the exception of the marquee on the mall, the other ones don’t say much aside from the name.
According to Garber, these are only temporary. He said they are working on a permanent solution for the college’s three entrances. He mentioned that the California Department of Transportation had earmarked about $800,000 for this purpose.
The funds are slated a three-sided digital marquee, which will show full-color images. It is to be erected at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Winnetka Avenue where it can be visible from all directions, in addition to serving as a “gateway” from the Orange Line to the campus.
Unfortunately, there is no set date of completion for the project, which could take as long as two and a half years.
Though Garber may not be able to speed up the process, he should keep in mind that if he wants to put this campus on the map, then finishing all renovations, upgrades and additions in as timely a manner as possible will further aid the message the marquees are attempting to convey.
Not just to future prospects but to the surrounding community as well, which is, “Welcome to Pierce College.”
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