ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 6, 1997 TAG: 9704070024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY THE ROANOKE TIMES
The Mill Mountain Star will go out for a refurbishing, as soon as the city gives the word.
For up to three months starting this spring, the "Star City of the South" will lose a little bit of its shine.
The lighted Mill Mountain Star, which has towered over this city for decades and can be seen for up to 60 miles on a clear night, will be switched off.
The star will be repainted, and its neon tubing will be replaced.
City Council this year approved a $56,000 contract with Williams Painting and Remodeling for the work. Company owner George Williams Jr. says the job could take up to 90 days, although "it probably won't take all of that."
"It'll be [turned] off. There won't be any neon lights on it," Williams says.
Williams is waiting for the city to tell him when to begin. City officials are trying to work around major holidays and celebrations, he said.
The star is rusted at each of its points, and the company will replace metal there. There also is lead paint at the bottom of the star's structure that is deteriorating and needs to be removed. The company is subcontracting that work. The contract also covers the repainting of a separate radio antenna on the mountain.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB