Portland Chinatown is no Chinatown without the Hung Far Low sign, a national historic landmark.

The sign was removed during the 2008-09 renovation of the Hung Far Low building, which now houses Ping Restaurant. Portland citizens rallied to restore the 2000-pound landmark, raising more than $8,600 through commemorative t-shirt sales, a website and special events. PDC closed the remaining gap with approximately $45,000 in grant funding. The total cost of the project – which includes removal of the sign, design and restoration work, and its re-attachment to the building, is estimated at $77,461.

The Hung Far Low Building was built in 1916 and 1917. The eponymous restaurant was established in 1928 and operated on the second floor until its move to SE 82nd Avenue in 2005.

Initially, Security Signs planned to “re-skin” the existing sign framework, but instead proposed a new aluminum structure to replace the extensively-corroded framework. The sign has been completely re-constructed and painted to match the original colors.

It will take two days to re-install this two-story-high, 2,000 pound sign!!

Please join us for the festivity when it is unveiled at 7pm, on Thursday, September 2nd, at the corner of NW 4th and Couch in Chinatown.

Here is a nice article in Oregonian.