Let there be (Short North arch) light

Looks like they’re finally going to light those lights:

By the end of the month, all repairs on the Short North arch lights will be complete.

Feel free to take a moment and let that sink in.

After four and a half years of unlit bulbs, lawsuits, increasing costs, postponed deadlines, broken hearts and infinite turmoil, the arches will finally cast their incandescent glow over North High Street.

“We’re doing a soft opening at the end of May,” said John Angelo, director of the Short North Business Association. “I think this is actually looking like it’s on target.”

Right. Soft opening is the way to go. No reason to invite further disappointment.

Initially, Short North strollers will bask only in white light. But once all the system checks are completed, the lights will be programmable to dance in an array of colors and patterns.

“Columbus will be dazzled,” Angelo said.

Very good. But don’t oversell it. They’re lights. And watch out for those distracted driver lawsuits.

The final price tag for the lights and all subsequent repairs is nearly $2.5 million—about $2,200 a bulb.

Yowza! Only government is that efficient. I’d have done it for half that. (Via RetroMetro.)