Contractors perplexed by 17 broken arches in the Short North District should have a solution soon.
The city has ordered EG&G, an Akron architectural and engineering firm that designed the project, to find the cause of the malfunction by today.
“I haven’t heard anything about it so far,” said Tim Wagner from the Short North Special Improvement District. “They have until 5 p.m.”
The arches’ lights, which usually shine over North High Street in the Short North, have not worked since their installation at the end of last year. The computer signal that controls the fixtures is not properly reaching all of the arches, Wagner said.
A few hypotheses have emerged to explain the lights’ failure, including condensation in the poles and electrical shorts, but none have led to a solution.
The lights feature new fiber-optic technology, which is supposed to allow for fast fixes to maintenance problems.
It also makes altering the color and shade of the lights and bulb replacement easier. Instead of replacing bulbs in the top of the arches, they can be replaced in the base of the poles.
“The fiber optics system was selected for this project for these additional features,” Wagner said.
This is the first time Columbus has used fiber-optics for street-lighting purposes.
Several Short North patrons say they are disappointed with the progress, especially because the lights brought exciting possibilities for business.
“We were very excited to hear the lights were coming in,” said Casey O’Connor, co-owner of The Pizza Gourmet in the Short North. “In fact, it was one of the reasons why we moved down here.”
Jeff Robinson, co-owner of The Pizza Gourmet, agreed.
“I think it’s weird that they’re not working,” he said. “I think some of the tourists that come here are disappointed.”
Although today is the city’s deadline for finding the cause, the contractors have until June 30 to fix the lights.
