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Owner seeks removal of historic sign at 1101 N. High Street; commission discusses temporary art panels as remedy
Summary
A property owner asked to remove a large historic-era sign at 1101 North High Street citing imminent redevelopment; commissioners encouraged alternatives, including blank or art panels and coordination with code enforcement and the arts commission.
At a conceptual review the commission discussed a request from the owner of 1101 North High Street to remove a large, historic-era sign on the building. The owner said the site is under estate review and likely to be redeveloped, and he asked whether removal now would be acceptable rather than spending substantial funds to restore the sign.
HPO staff advised that the sign is historic signage and that staff generally encourages retention and restoration. Owner representatives (Bill Hedler and Theodore King) said they were open to alternatives: installing blank sign panels, commissioning a temporary art panel, or other low-cost short-term fixes if that would address the code violation and graffiti concerns while not prejudicing future redevelopment.
The owner said the building has been vacant for years and that graffiti and repeated tagging of the boarded storefront prompted the request; a contractor is scheduled to remove graffiti on the brick. The owner also noted the sign currently lacks active power and any lighting solution would be daylight-only unless a later redevelopment reestablished electrical service.
Commissioners and staff suggested options for resolving the current code-enforcement notice: (1) repair/restore the sign (owner estimated high cost), (2) install temporary blank panels in the sign frame to reduce maintenance problems, or (3) pursue an art commission-reviewed temporary installation to discourage graffiti and improve appearance. Staff noted the commission cannot unilaterally decide art-commission matters and recommended coordinating with code enforcement and the arts commission if an art panel is proposed.
No formal action was taken; staff encouraged the owner to return with a revised, specific proposal. The owner said he would consider blank panels or a temporary art installation if the code officer would allow a remediation extension while the owner coordinates with staff.
