Decorative lanterns have been installed along Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and Hancock Avenue in West Hollywood. (photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood)

After receiving positive community feedback for a temporary street lantern installation on Santa Monica Boulevard for the 2019 L.A. Pride festival, the city of West Hollywood has installed permanent, year-round decorative LED lanterns above Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and Hancock Avenue.

The colorful globe lanterns are intended to provide a welcoming atmosphere in the city’s LGBT “Rainbow District.”

“The new festive lights on Santa Monica Boulevard are bright, happy and colorful, and arrived just in time for a new year and a new decade,” West Hollywood Mayor John D’Amico said. “Every night, they will light up West Hollywood’s ‘Rainbow District’ to be sure. But, more importantly, they illuminate, with tremendous pride, our city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, heritage and history.”

The lanterns are programmable as individual lighting or strands of lights, which will enable the city to recognize national events or celebrations that traditionally use signature colors. All lanterns have UV protection to prolong the life and ensure clarity of the shield around the fixtures. Additionally, the lanterns feature easily replaceable fixtures and are custom-made to withstand the elements. They are engineered to meet the weight and wind-load requirements of the existing light poles to which they are attached and are compliant with fire safety regulations.

Illumination for the globes will rotate in rainbow colors in celebration of the neighborhood’s LGBT community and bars, restaurants and businesses. The “Rainbow District” along and around Santa Monica Boulevard near San Vicente Boulevard has been a thriving hub of LGBT community for decades.

For information, call (323)848-6361, or email jrocco@weho.org.