The Short North District’s lighted arches remain dim after negotiations to fix the troubled structures broke down once again last week.

Columbus city officials and the project’s designer, the Akron-based company EG&G, have been at odds for months deciding who is responsible for fixing the $2.4 million arch project. Closed talks were conducted last week to try to find a solution to the problem, but no agreements were reached.

The 17 steel arches, which span North High Street from Interstate 670 to Smith Place, were designed to become the Short North’s most visual landmark. They were modeled after wooden arches scattered throughout downtown Columbus – earning the city the nickname “Arch City” – nearly a century ago.

During construction, fiber optic bulbs were added to the more modern, steel frame. These were designed to allow the arches to change color and shade.

But shortly after their completion in December 2002, the arches became troublesome when many bulbs began to change colors, flicker or completely go dark. It was the first time Columbus experimented with fiber optics in street lighting, and so far, it has provided nothing but headaches for city officials and Short North residents.

Greg Stewart, chief operating officer of Superior Electric, a contractor on the project, estimated that repairs could cost about $70,000. That would cover all of the problems the city is asking EG&G to fix. No significant repairs have been made since the arches were completed, Stewart said.

This isn’t the first time negotiations to fix the problem have broken down. In April, city officials gave EG&G until July 31 to correct the problem. Fighting over who should pay for the repairs caused the lights to remain dim well past that deadline.

Scott Varner, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office, said the city plans to eventually find a solution and will remain in close contact with EG&G until that happens.

“We want to see the city light up. The question is who will be left with the bill,” Varner said. “We do not believe it is the duty of Columbus tax payers to fix the problem.”

City officials said an unreliable computer that controls the lights does not work properly and it was the responsibility of EG&G to make sure it worked before it was installed.

Varner would not discuss the talks, which were conducted by an independent mediator, but he did say that no major resolutions were made. He did not verify Stewart’s estimate for repairs but said the amount needed to fix the arches, “will be a significant cost.”

EG&G officials declined to comment but released a report stating only that, “assignment of liability at this point could possibly jeopardize a swift performance and resolution to the completion of the project.”

Stewart said he does not know why EG&G does not want to pay for repairs.

“(Superior Electric is) not involved in negotiations to get the arches fixed,” he said. “We’ve done everything we were contracted to do and now we are just bystanders.”

Short North business owners are disappointed the arches aren’t fixed. The area has been hit hard by the tough economy, competition from local malls and construction on I-670. Now, with the highway open, owners had hoped the arches would be fixed in anticipation of new patrons.

Jeff Robinson, co-owner of The Pizza Gourmet, said to leave the arches unlit is a waste.

“(The city) needs to pinpoint where the problem came from and hold them responsible,” Robinson said. “For example, I am a business owner, and it is my responsibility to make sure my employees do their work and do it well. It’s the same thing.”

Robinson said if a decision isn’t reached soon he hopes the city takes EG&G to court. While the city is trying prevent that, Varner said it is a possibility.

“Our first priority right now is to get the lights working,” he said. “However, a decision may have to come from the courts.”