As part of continuing preservation and renovation efforts, Merchants Mutual Insurance Company will install a new vertical sign on the Main Street side of its building in early 2020.
The existing sign is original to the building and was removed on December 30. Located at 250 Main Street in Buffalo, the building and its “Merchants Mutual” sign were completed in 1965. The existing sign had begun to show its age. The company said the new sign will enhance the appearance of the building and employ a more energy-efficient design.
The original sign was repainted in 2007 and relit in 2012. This latest undertaking will be a completely new sign, in keeping with the building’s original architecture, and will include a new internal support structure to allay any future safety concerns.
Placement of the new sign is expected to occur in early 2020, pending engineering and structural approval.
The signage upgrade is being funded in part by the New York Main Street program, as part of a grant obtained by Buffalo Place for Main Street building improvements which helps commercial buildings improve their appearance in keeping with their original architecture.
As a further part of supporting Buffalo’s Main Street revitalization, Merchants Insurance purchased the naming and signage rights for the Metrorail stations closest to
Merchants’ 250 Main Street location. The upgrade to the north- and southbound “Merchants Insurance at Seneca Street” stations is expected to be completed in spring 2020.
