A fundraising campaign to rebuild and install an iconic sign outside The Paramount Theatre kicked off Aug. 5.
The Paramount Theatre's 100th anniversary takes place in October 2015, and as part of its centennial celebration the longtime downtown Austin entertainment venue is seeking money to revive the historic blade sign that once illuminated Congress Avenue.
The original sign was installed in the early 1930s when Paramount Pictures took over the theater, according to a theater spokesman, and came down in 1964 for a restoration project. Paramount officials were unable to confirm whether the sign was reinstalled after that restoration effort.
The new sign, estimated to cost $200,000, is anticipated to be installed just above the lights of the theater's marquee. More than one year of research was also conducted to ensure the sign's historical accuracy, according to a theater spokesman.
"The green sign, bordered in gold and topped with a gorgeous sunburst, once towered over 75 feet above the sidewalk of Congress Avenue, and The [Paramount] Theatre aims to bring that brilliance back to downtown," according to a written statement from a theater spokesman.
The theater, located at 713 Congress Ave., is seeking donations ranging from $50–$10,000. To contribute, visit the campaign's website. For more information about The Paramount Theatre's 100th anniversary celebration, visit the theater's homepage.