I just re-read your post, are you suggesting the company who bought the building to spend government money received to refurbish the building to restore the sign? I can’t agree with that at all.

I like the sign, I liked the Vernors Gnome too and I was sad when that came down. I liked the stove at the State Fair grounds. Can't say I miss that broken down old sign at the Belle Isle Bridge though :-)

If you would like the government to fund a historical preservation of the sign maybe you can put a group together and lobby for a congressional ear mark.

If the new owners spend money that was supposed to refurbish the building on restoring a sign on the outside of the building that would bother me. Pay a few guys a bunch of money to replace rusted out supports just to let the big plastic sign eventually fall apart because of exposure to the elements. That would be a big waste of government money.