CITGO to Mark Centennial With Upgrade to Its Sign in Boston

HOUSTON and BOSTON, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The CITGO Sign in Boston's Kenmore Square, one of the most iconic landmarks of the Boston skyline, is set to undergo major upgrades. The 45-year-old, 3,600-square-foot sign will have all its LED lights replaced with more technologically advanced and environmentally friendly versions. Scheduled to begin at the end of July, the upgrades will require that the sign go dark while the work is done. However, Bostonians can be sure that when the sign is relit – just in time for baseball playoff season – the famous beacon will look better than ever.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100721/PH37986 )

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100721/PH37986 )

"Since 1940, when the original Cities Service sign was installed in Kenmore Square, our company's sign has served as a landmark for Boston residents and baseball fans alike," said Gustavo Velasquez, vice president of supply and marketing for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. "Whether as a target for Red Sox sluggers blasting home runs over the Green Monster, or as a source of inspiration at the end of the grueling Boston Marathon, everyone knows and loves the sign. The 100th anniversary of the Cities Service-CITGO brand was the perfect time to give the sign an overhaul to make it shine even brighter."

Work on the CITGO Sign is being undertaken under the watchful eye of Martin Foley, the "Keeper of the Sign" since 1965. Foley has supported CITGO for more than 35 years with the upkeep of the sign, braving hurricanes and lightning storms to ensure the sign burns bright. The new upgrades will help make Foley's job easier with more reliable, weather-resistant lights.

More than 9,000 feet of lights will be replaced on the double-sided, 60-foot by 60-foot square sign, said to be the largest sign in New England. The new lights are specially designed to flex so they can withstand high winds and extreme temperature variations that the sign is exposed to in Boston's variable climate – and perhaps even a well hit baseball. New acrylic covers will provide brighter, more vibrant colors and standup better to UV rays to ensure the sign shines brightly for years to come.

"The CITGO Sign has become a part of Boston and American culture," added Velasquez. "Time Magazine, The New York Times, and countless local and international artists have praised the cultural and artistic impact of the sign. It has served as inspiration for monster home runs at Fenway Park. Just like the CITGO brand's deep commitment to supporting our network of nearly 6,500 local retailers, we are reviving the CITGO Sign in Boston's Kenmore Square to help the Boston community shine brighter and stronger."

The upgrades to the CITGO Sign and the ongoing efforts of locally owned CITGO stations to keep Boston residents fueled are both in alignment with the social development principles of the CITGO shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In addition to a shared commitment to improving the lives of others, both the United States and Venezuela share the common values of freedom and the wellbeing of their people. These values, which were won through the fight for independence in both countries, are commemorated and celebrated on July 4 and July 5, respectively. The United States celebrated 234 years of independence on July 4, 2010. Venezuela has begun in 2010 a year-long celebration leading up to the Bicentennial of its independence, which will be commemorated on July 5, 2011.

For more information on the CITGO Sign in Boston's Kenmore Square, visit www.citgo.com/AboutCITGO/BostonSign.jsp.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

For more information visit www.citgo.com

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum