Attica Correctional Facility

Grand Light was contracted to restore and modify two large wall-mounted outdoor lanterns from the front gate of the well-known Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York. The maximum security prison, built in 1931, has held some of the country’s most dangerous inmates including Mark David Chapman, Willie “The Actor” Sutton, Kendall Francois, and Colin Ferguson.

The lanterns, which are located on the right and left side of the entry door of the front gate, are two of the first things people are likely to see when entering the prison. They were custom built to match the facade of the building, and had seen extensive wear and tear from exposure to the weather.

Grand Light completely restored the lantern frames to their original condition, and then customized the fixture back plates and updated the electrical wiring while incorporating two 26w CFL lamps and outdoor rated electronic ballasts. The lamp location on each back plate reflector was designed to optimize light output. Additionally, a clear seeded glass was selected and then bead blasted on the reverse side to reduce glare and shadows. Other damages on the lanterns included several large dents, a missing bottom door on each lantern, and six of the original cast aluminum rosettes were lost.

New doors were fabricated with glass insets for more down light and exact replications of the missing rosettes were casted. Body shop techniques were utilized to remove several large indentations on both lanterns prior to an application of an UV resistant clear coat.