Mountainside 'U' to get a $400,000 face-lift

The University of Utah's block 'U' is getting a face-lift, thanks to a $400,000 fund-raising drive.

Layton Construction Co. began making a temporary access road Monday to get to the century-old mountainside icon on the east side of the city.

The giant letter will get a new coat of concrete, caulk and paint. A drainage system will help prevent erosion under the "U," and energy-efficient lights will be installed.

The university said the project should be finished by the end of September. The fund-raising goal was reached with the help of Arizona philanthropists Ira and Mary Lou Fulton, who matched each contribution.