Commission approves Columbus Water and Power signage and plaza improvements at 37 West Broad Street

The Downtown Commission approved an application to install ground/wall signage and to reface illuminated entrance signs at 37 West Broad Street, where Columbus Water and Power will occupy the building. The commission also approved landscaping and perimeter lighting for a plaza adjacent to the building.

The applicant proposed an internally illuminated ground/waist‑level sign on the building’s west and north elevations, reface of two illuminated acrylic panel signs at entryways, and a plaza perimeter treatment consisting of granite planters, urban wildflowers, uni‑lock pavers, ground cover and decorative lighting. Materials submittals included renderings, sign elevations, plant schedules and lighting details. Staff cited the Downtown Design Guidelines preference for pedestrian‑scaled signage, proportional wall signs and durable ground signs and concluded the proposal is generally consistent with those guidelines.

Design team representatives said the signage location was chosen to brand the corner plinth and avoid mounting into precast above the first floor. Several commissioners expressed concern about the visual scale of the proposed signage: while some members supported a bold, city‑level graphic, others said the primary lettering (reported in the presentation as roughly 58 inches for the “Columbus” line and 39 inches for the “Water and Power” line) felt excessively large for that building compared with other municipal signage. Commissioners recommended the applicant provide smaller alternatives for study and suggested a dimmer or lighting control system to reduce glare during busy intersection conditions. The design team committed to study halo lighting and dimming options and said the tenant had requested a prominent graphic but would review revisions.

The commission voted and carried the item; staff noted that site furnishings (benches and other street furniture) will be handled via a separate submittal and that some details — including paver patterns, planter types and the annual planting program — will be finalized with the downtown maintenance group or the building owner. Staff recommended and the commission supported keeping mature honey locust trees in place and expanding planting beds to activate the terrace.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the proposed landscaping and signage design and requires the applicant to return with any material changes to the sign or additional signage options if the commission requests further refinement.