Hollywood Sign Set to Receive Fresh Paint Job

HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Preparation work began today as crews get ready to apply a fresh coat of pain to the famed Hollywood sign.

A crew of 10 workers will apply nearly 400 gallons of paint to the sign over the course of eight weeks. Setup will begin Monday, and the project is expected to be completed in November. This year marks the iconic sign's centennial.

``The sign is the pride of Los Angeles and we are excited for fans all around the world to see this makeover for a very special 100th anniversary,'' said Jeff Zarrinnam, chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust.

Sherwin-Williams, which last refurbished the sign in 2012, will run the project again. Duggan and Associates, a Los Angeles-based painting company, will paint the 45-feet-high sign.

The sign, which originally read ``Hollywoodland,'' was shortened to the current ``Hollywood'' in 1949. It was rebuilt in 1978 and has gone through several repairs.

The entire painting project can be viewed via webcam at: hollywoodsign.org/webcam.

-- City News Service