Lowell officials, members of the Costello family and preservation partners gathered at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 28, 2025, to mark the relighting of the twin Lowell Sun neon signs after a multi‑year restoration.

The event honored the sign’s history and the volunteers and contractors who led the restoration. Mayor Dave Rock said the work began in 2017 and credited “the assistance of $60,000 from the City of Lowell” for helping bring the project to completion.

The restored signs sit atop the Sun Building, which speakers said was built in 1914. George Villaros, chair of the Lowell Historic Board, and Alex Costello, former editorial page editor of the Lowell Sun, described the twin signs — erected in 1934, according to the project committee — as an iconic element of the city skyline comparable in local significance to Boston’s Citgo sign.

City Manager Tom Golden said the relighting is part of a broader effort to invest in and maintain Lowell’s infrastructure and cultural landmarks. “The sun sign is like Boston’s Citgo sign,” Golden said, adding the restoration complements other recent work at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, including painting, mechanical upgrades and site improvements.

Project partners named at the event included the Lowell Historic Board; the Royal Heritage Partnership; the Michael LaPierre Foundation, working through the Community Foundation; Signs Now New Hampshire (contractor Chuck Razz); and Don Carson, who performed work at height to restore the signs. Steve Stowell of the historic board was identified repeatedly by speakers as an advocate who shepherded the project over several years.

Speakers recounted the sign’s local meaning: Alex Costello said the twin signs have long symbolized the city’s resilience and connection to its newspaper, which he said has served Lowell since 1878. Costello also noted local memories shared with the historic board, including residents who equate the sign with home in Lowell.

No formal votes or policy actions were recorded at the ceremony. The event focused on recognition, thanking donors and contractors and flipping the switch to illuminate the restored signs.

The lighting concludes a restoration effort speakers traced back to planning and advocacy beginning in 2017. Mayor Rock and others thanked the Costello family, whom speakers identified as longtime owners associated with the Lowell Sun and the building where the signs sit.

Organizers urged attendees to view the signs as part of Lowell’s built heritage. The ceremony finished with the Costello family and invited officials joining the final countdown before the signs were switched on.