Kansas City Restores and Relights Western Auto Sign

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas will join Western Auto Lofts residents, the restoration team, and community leaders on the rooftop to flip the switch and relight the iconic Western Auto sign to its full potential, bringing the iconic glow back to the Kansas City skyline.

The sign was turned off indefinitely last summer after a significant number of its bulbs burned out. After being contacted by the Western Auto Lofts Homeowners Association, the City stepped in to help restore the sign with improved, longer-lasting lighting designed to prevent the constant burnout that dimmed the sign in the past. The full restoration replaced or repaired all 3,000 of the sign's bulbs and sockets, its glowing red neon, and every neon transformers. Under an agreement with the City, the HOA has committed to maintaining the sign for the next decade.

The relighting is the latest project of Illuminate KC, Mayor Lucas's initiative to bring light back to Kansas City's most treasured landmarks. The City contributed $100,000 toward the Western Auto Sign's restoration through the initiative, which has also relit the KCTV5 Tower in Midtown, the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, and the Bartle Sky Stations.

"Kansas City made a commitment to bring the Western Auto Sign back to life," said Mayor Lucas. "I am proud of Illuminate KC's continued success keeping the gems of our skyline glowing, I am proud of our work with local labor at prevailing wages to do so with the Western Auto Sign, and I am proud of the commitment of the Western Auto Lofts Homeowners Association to make sure it remains shining for the next decade."

The Western Auto Sign was installed in 1952 and was lit until going out in 2000. The lights were restored in 2018, went dark again in 2025, and tonight returns as a crown jewel of Kansas City's skyline.

MEDIA COVERAGE DETAILS

• What: Relighting the historic Western Auto Sign, including brief remarks from Mayor Quinton Lucas.

• When: Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The sign will turn on at 9:00 p.m.

• Where: Western Auto Building, 2107 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.

• Interviews: Mayor Lucas and restoration partners will be available for brief interviews outside of the Western Auto building at 8:30 p.m.

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