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Commission recommends approved underpass lighting and signage linked to National Memorial, with Kelvin limit
Summary
The Downtown Design Commission on Jan. 16 approved a painted and lit design for the Sixth Street railroad underpass near the Oklahoma City National Memorial and recommended a variance for signs in the right-of-way.
The Downtown Design Commission on Jan. 16 approved a design package to paint and light the Sixth Street railroad underpass near the Oklahoma City National Memorial and recommended the applicant obtain a variance from the Board of Adjustment for signs in the right-of-way.
Planning staff explained the proposal includes painted underpass surfaces, LED strip lighting along the ceiling and the installation of a static, white “Oklahoma City” sign on the underpass interior. Staff said the originally proposed color-changing LED element had been changed to a static white LED at the applicant’s request. The project is a partnership between the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the city and the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership to improve the arrival experience for visitors entering downtown from the east.
Contractor Cameron Gleason and memorial representatives said the installation will require a lease or agreement with the railroad; staff described a letter from the railroad that allowed the city to move forward with the approval process while the lease is being finalized. Transit staff asked about construction impacts to the nearby streetcar and bus operations; the applicant agreed to follow permitting and coordinate scheduling with transit and traffic management staff.
Commissioners raised concerns about color temperature and how the lighting would relate to nearby residential and historic lighting; memorial representatives and staff proposed a condition limiting the sign and strip fixtures to a maximum of 3,5100 Kelvin (reported in the meeting transcript as “35 100 Kelvin”) to avoid harsh, blue-white lighting. The commission adopted that condition and approved the design contingent on the Board of Adjustment variance for signs in the right-of-way.
Action: Commission approved the application and moved to recommend approval to the Board of Adjustment for a variance from the prohibition on signs in the right-of-way. The commission also added a condition that the Oklahoma City sign and strip lighting be a maximum of 3,5100 Kelvin.
