KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Western Auto sign, one of Kansas City’s most recognizable landmarks, hasn’t lit up the skyline since July 7, 2025.
On Monday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas shared on Facebook that the Western Auto sign will stay turned off ahead of the Chiefs’ Monday Night Football game.
Why is it not lit?
After going dark in 2000, it wasn’t until 2018 that the Western Auto sign lit up the Kansas City sky again.
“It is pretty unique,” said Jeremy Haslam, who is visiting from Salt Lake City.
“I have memories of it growing up; it is a quintessential piece of Kansas City heritage,” said Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea.
The sign has stayed on since then, but has run into issues here and there with certain letters or lights needing repairs.
“When they do a Sunday night game or Monday night game, they always do a fly(over), so it is kind of cool to see it on and see that recognition,” said Jon McCarthy, who owns a condo in the Western Auto Building.
It gets a lot of recognition. The sign can be found on posters, t-shirts, and jewelry. Though that recognition has gone away at night, as the sign hasn’t been on.
The City said that many of the lights stopped working, and due to maintenance concerns, it has been turned off since July.
The Western Auto Lofts Homeowners Association helps keep the sign up and running. Its president shared that they are working with the city to find a solution.(KCTV5)
“It is a privately owned condo building; however, I think it is important for us to maintain our iconic signs around the city,” said Councilman Rea.
The Western Auto Lofts Homeowners Association helps keep the sign up and running. Its president shared that they are working with the city to find a solution.
“I think it is a combination of cost, but also the logistics of maintaining that sign both now and long term. It is an aged sign, so I think there are some complications there, but I think between the city and condo association, we should be working hard to figure it out,” said Councilman Rea.
It’s something residents of the complex, visitors, and those throughout the city would love to see happen, but understand it can take a lot of work.
“It’s expensive, it’s old, it takes maintenance upkeep, you know the cost of doing that,” said McCarthy.
“Whatever makes Kansas City stand out is something they should lean into and keep it going,” said Haslam.
Mayor Lucas is hoping to use IlluminateKC to help light the Western Auto sign. This is an initiative to help relight Kansas City landmarks.(KCTV5)
Mayor Lucas is hoping to use IlluminateKC to help. This is an initiative to help relight Kansas City landmarks.
In a statement to KCTV5, the Mayor’s Office shared:
“Kansas City continues to explore permanent and sustainable relighting solutions for the Western Auto sign as the next IlluminateKC endeavor. IlluminateKC has already successfully illuminated 18th and Vine Jazz District signage, the Bartle Hall Sky Stations, Waldo Tower, and Midtown’s KCTV tower. Given the City’s art deco history, Illuminate KC highlights our iconic architecture and unique spaces. The Western Auto sign is a well-recognized Kansas City landmark and a key part of our City’s brand. The sign has been turned off since July 2025 due to ongoing maintenance concerns. The City continues discussion with the owners of the Western Auto building, the owners of the sign, about repair and relighting of the sign well before this summer’s World Cup.”
On Oct. 23, 2025, the Kansas City City Council passed $100,000 in funding toward Illuminate KC. There’s no word yet on what that funding will specifically go to.
While discussions continue, no date has been set for when the Western Auto sign will turn back on.
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