THE gigantic and illuminating ‘X’ sign that was hastily erected atop the former Twitter headquarters has been taken down following a wave of complaints and safety concerns.
The sign was installed just three days before its removal and sparked a massive uproar among nearby residents.
The removal of the ‘X’ sign took place on Monday morning, July 31, putting an end to the controversy surrounding the unauthorized installation.
No permit was required for the sign’s removal, but the building owner must now secure a permit to avoid further violations.
According to reports, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection received 24 complaints over the weekend, expressing concerns about the sign’s structural safety and its blinding illumination.
Numerous residents reported being startled by the intense strobe of white light emanating from the ‘X’ logo, with some mistaking it for lightning or a police siren.
The controversy escalated when the city’s police prevented workers from removing Twitter’s original bird and vertical logo from the building, citing safety risks due to the absence of safety measures for pedestrians.
Despite the mounting complaints, the ‘X’ sign remained in place for a few days until the city took action to address the safety and permit issues.
The Department of Building Inspection launched an investigation and found that the ‘X’ sign was installed without the necessary safety permit.
San Franciso City’s Inspector Patrick Hannan revealed that he attempted to access the building’s roof to address the complaints, but his request was denied twice.
He further clarified that the building’s owner would face fines for the installation and removal of the structure, as well as covering the costs of the department’s inspection and investigation.
