While shops in the heart of Hillcrest have long benefited from the vitality generated by the historic beacon at Fifth & University, establishments to the east have long yearned for something extra to showcase their end of the neighborhood. Well, the time has arrived. The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) has installed decorative lighting in the medians along University Avenue between Tenth Avenue and Normal Street featuring cutting edge technology so they can be remotely programmed to project a palate of up-lit colors.
HBA Executive Director Benjamin Nicholls and the association’s beautification committee, a volunteer group of community business owners, completed the Median Lighting Project. Ben explained, “Hillcrest’s east end is an exciting nighttime destination and this lighting project showcases the energy and dynamism of this part of town.” Hillcrest resident Dianne Sheridan was the designer. Funding for the this project was secured through the HBA’s capital improvement account with a total cost of just over $60,000 for the lights, installation and permits. The installation of 50 color changing LED lights began over the last few weeks, and were previewed Thursday evening. The new illumination gives Hillcrest yet another reason to be proud of our community — in another brilliant way.
