By Mary O’KEEFE

A driver collided with the “Welcome to Glendale” sign at Pennsylvania Avenue and Foothill Boulevard at about 9 a.m. on Friday, May 17. The vehicle flipped over on impact. The driver reported no injuries. The collision is still under investigation by the Glendale Police Dept. Glendale City officials are still evaluating what the future holds with the sign.

“No decision has been made,” said Dan Bell, Glendale City spokesman.

The “Welcome to Glendale” signs have had an embattled history in the Crescenta Valley. At first there were two, one placed on Foothill Boulevard just east of Lowell Avenue and the second placed on Foothill Boulevard just west of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The signs went up in 2016 and, although there were community meetings prior to their design and construction, there were some who were surprised when their installation was completed. There were many who had negative comments that ranged from not wanting the signs at all to concerns about their placement. The signs were in the center of the boulevard.

The first accident occurred in December 2017 followed by two more accidents with all vehicles slamming into the sign at Lowell and Foothill. One driver was elderly; the other two were suspected DUI.

In November 2018 the City decided not to repair/reconstruct the sign at Lowell. This is the first accident on record for the sign near Pennsylvania Avenue. The damage was severe.

Photos by Chuck HOLLER and Shane ROSA

  Chuck HOLLER, Mary Okeefe, Shane ROSA