iradiophilly | Culture - Iconic Tower Theater Sign in Upper Darby Removed, Structure Deemed Unsafe

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Iconic Tower Theater Sign in Upper Darby Removed, Structure Deemed Unsafe

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 08/13/19 2:07 pm | updated: 08/13/19 2:07 pm

The iconic spire on top of the Tower Theater on 69th Street in Upper Darby is being dismantled starting today Tuesday, 8/13, after engineers determined that is has become structurally unsound and posed a safety hazard. The landmark radio tower sign has stood on top of the theater since it opened on October 1, 1928. It initially was a venue for movies and vaudeville acts. It has been hosting premiere live concert acts since the 1970s. Upper Mayor Tom Micozzie said he was hesitant at first when concert promoter Live Nation requested the permits to remove the sign. The township's own engineers confirmed that the metal structure had become unsafe. It is not known if the sign will be replaced.

Upper Darby Mayor Tom Micozzie posted this statement to Facebook:

"I have been notified that Live Nation, the owner of the Tower Theater, will begin the process today of taking down the existing iconic Tower signage atop the building due to public safety concerns. This followed an assessment of the sign's structural integrity by the company's engineering firm that deemed the existing structure unsafe. When the company first approached the township to request the necessary permits, I expressed my strong concern about the removal of the sign,Â which has become a landmark for 69th Street. However, an independent analysis by the township's engineers confirmed that severe deterioration of the metal base and structure could not be corrected and posed a hazard to public safety. The company has advised me that the sphere and letters will be donated to a music museum. In addition, the company has advised me that it plans to evaluate options to replace the iconic sign once the existing structure had been removed and will be releasing a statement to that effect . The process of removing the sign will take approximately two days."

The iconic Tower Theater sign is coming down because itâ€™s unsafe. â¦@KYWNewsradioâ© pic.twitter.com/JWjvY8uFP0
— John McDevitt (@JM1060) August 13, 2019

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