Iconic River Street Welcome Sign Taken Down

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Notice something missing from the intersection of Highways 1 and 9?

On Tuesday the landmark sign that reads "Welcome to River Street: Downtown Santa Cruz" was removed amid construction work planned at the intersection. The project seeks to add safety lamps, sidewalks and accessibility ramps, the city said. There will also be lane additions, including a green bike lane, an extra left-turn lane on southbound Highway 1, an extra northbound lane on Highway 9 between Highway 1 and Encinal Street, a northbound lane on River Street and a southbound through/left-turn lane on Highway 9.

The River Street sign has been a point of contention for some in the community. The Santa Cruz City Council has considered alternatives in years past, as the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported in 2009.

"Tacky sign," wrote one Foursquare user. "It's not even 'downtown.'"

Another called it a "waste of $80,000."

The city's Economic Development Development Department told Patch that it's considered alterations, "but we don't currently have any plans to initiate that work."

Naysayers will have until roughly April to enjoy their sign-free commute. Officials believe the sign will be reinstalled in about 10 months, nearing completion of the project.