SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – The light installation that brightened the Bay Bridge for a decade went dark this weekend as a fundraising goal to repair the lights still has a ways to go.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
The lights came down on Sunday, the tenth anniversary of when they first went up, because the Bay is a harsh environment for electronics.
"There are high winds, there are heavy rains, there's salty air, there are actually lightning strikes, 24/7 vibration, expansion, contraction of cables," said Ben Davis, the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of the nonprofit Illuminate, and creator of the Bay Lights installation on KCBS Radio's "Ask an Expert" with Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer on Monday.
Those are just a few of the issues. And the LED lights that have been up there came off the shelf and although they did well, they’re failing now.
"Rather than let them decay into oblivion, which is a bad metaphor for San Francisco – we’re doing the responsible thing," said Davis.
Instead, they're coming down and a new set that has been custom-made and engineered to do well over a long period of time is planned to go up instead.
The new set is also double the lights that were there before, adding a new element to the installation.
"In terms of fundraising, we have an $11 million lift in front of us," he said. "We're seeking to raise 10 $1 million gifts."
The final million dollars they're trying to raise through crowdfunding.
So far, things have been progressing nicely with the large gifts, according to Davis. Currently, $6 million has been secured, so an additional four $1 million is needed.
For crowdfunding, people can go here.
"People can go right now and show your love without having to show a million dollars to do so," he said.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
