As the nation celebrates 250 years, a Bay Area city has updated a monument to the region’s industrial history with a fresh coat of paint.<\/p>\n
Officials in South San Francisco said the city’s iconic Sign Hill letters are receiving a special one-time red, white, and blue paint job \u2014 visible to drivers on northbound U.S. 101 and flights to San Francisco International Airport.<\/p>\n
Work began on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Genentech, the biotechnology giant headquartered in South City and one of the city’s major employers, funded the landmark’s update as part of the company’s 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
South San Francisco is promoted by Genentech as the “Birthplace of Biotechnology,” honoring the legacy of the city, as its economy transitioned from industry to biotech after World War II.<\/p>\n
Because Sign Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having received its historic landmark designation in 1996, the project required review by the City’s Planning Commission through a careful certification process.<\/p>\n
At a meeting in May, the Planning Commission approved the temporary work after determining that the treatment would be reversible and would not damage the 97-year-old concrete letters.<\/p>\n
Officials said environmental effects were also taken into account in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).<\/p>\n
The city has scheduled additional America 250 events, including a July 4 parade. Details can be found on the city’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n