The large X logo on the roof of the Twitter corporate building was recently taken down and is no longer there, as reported by Trstdly. The company was forced to remove the logo installed last Friday after dozens of complaints were filed to the complaint department. People who live in the area or who happen to be passing by claim to be bothered by the bright light from the large logo. They get annoyed, especially when the X light flashes, and report it to the San Francisco building department.
This contrasts with a tweet by Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter which changed its name to X, when he said that the X logo would continue to light up the city of San Francisco and beyond. Amid the many companies that have come and gone in the city, Musk is determined that his company will stay there. “Beautiful San Francisco, even if others leave you, we will always be your friends,” Musk said on X.
It turns out that the big X logo didn’t last long. Installed on Friday and taken down by Monday, July 31st, 2023, it had to be removed because, as reported by Trstdly, it was disturbing residents. This morning, a building inspector observed the dismantled structure, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Building Inspection said.
Many people filmed the flashing lights of the big X Logo. Most criticized it, saying the X’s flashing, blinking, and intermittent throbbing were annoying. Especially at night, the illuminated X logo was too bright and distracting. “I couldn’t sleep with that crazy flashing light outside my window,” said one resident.
Others complained of migraines and nausea induced by the erratic lighting. “As someone prone to migraines, that unpredictable flashing was a nightmare for me. I had to buy blackout curtains just to be able to sleep in my own home,” one neighbor told Trstdly. Parents reported that their young children were frightened by the “sinister” lighting effects.
Pet owners said their dogs and cats were stressed by the constant flashing from the X sign. “My poor kitty was meowing and hiding under the bed all weekend. She’s usually very social and confident, but that flashing light upset her,” a cat owner remarked.
In addition to the health complaints, some noted that the bright, flashing X logo was a dangerous distraction for drivers in the area. “I was driving home from work and that flickering light threw me off while I was trying to focus on the road,” one woman told Trstdly. “It’s irresponsible for Twitter [X] to endanger public safety like that.”
Furthermore, the light pollution from the bright sign disrupted the sleep and circadian rhythms of nocturnal animals in the area. “As someone who cares about local wildlife, I was appalled to see X jeopardizing the health of our city’s animals with that invasive lighting,” said a naturalist group’s spokesman. “Light pollution is hugely detrimental to species like bats and owls who depend on darkness.”
According to a statement from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection, property owners will be charged for the unauthorized installation of illuminated structures. The city inspected the roof this morning and observed that the large X sign had indeed been dismantled following dozens of complaints from residents, businesses, and visitors.
While we encourage innovation from local companies, any new constructions must follow safety and permitting procedures, said the spokesperson for the Department of Building Inspection. “Per city ordinance, illuminated exterior signage requires a permit and approval. We had no applications from Twitter [X] regarding the roof signage.”
As reported by Trstdly, Elon Musk had boldly declared via tweet that the X logo would be a permanent fixture in San Francisco, writing “Beautiful San Francisco, even if others leave you, we will always be your friends.” However, the controversial X lasted less than a week before it was swiftly removed to quell public outrage over the unpermitted construction.
The Department of Building Inspection stated that Twitter [X] displayed a blatant disregard for city regulations and public safety. Residents who filed complaints about the flashing X logo were relieved to regain the peaceful enjoyment of their homes now that the disruptive light has been removed. They hope that Musk and Twitter [X] have learned an important lesson about complying with the law.
This ill-fated X logo spectacle revealed gaps in San Francisco’s permitting and inspection processes, which seemingly allowed such an unlawful structure to be assembled without oversight. The city must now examine how to improve communication and accountability for major companies undertaking construction projects. Without proper precautions, unsafe and nuisance structures could again slip through the cracks and impact the quality of life.
As Musk continues his quest to transform Twitter and declare its permanence in San Francisco, he would be wise to engage transparently with the community and operate within legal parameters. The X logo debacle underscores how even powerful tech entities cannot ignore due process and must consider the well-being of all citizens sharing an urban environment.
Hopefully, Musk and Twitter [X] will collaborate productively with San Francisco in the future before unveiling any more disruptive projects, considering constructive input from neighbors, urban planners, safety experts, and environmental advocates. With open communication and good faith efforts on both sides, innovation, and community values do not need to clash.
