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Historic Preservation Board approves illuminated sign for 321 South Summit Street
Summary
The Arkansas City Historic Preservation Board voted to permit a reverse channel-letter, illuminated sign at 321 South Summit Street after staff said the proposed design is more consistent with the rehabilitation guidelines than the existing box sign.
The Arkansas City Historic Preservation Board voted Jan. 27 to allow a new illuminated reverse channel-letter sign at 321 South Summit Street, replacing a nonoriginal box sign that staff said is less compatible with downtown design guidelines.
City preservation staff described the proposal as a reverse slit channel-letter sign that would be mounted slightly off the façade and lit; staff said the design is “more compliant with the guidelines than what the existing sign is.” The board approved a motion to accept the proposal by voice vote.
Board members discussed historic photographs submitted with the application that show a projecting sign and signage placement on the building dating back decades. Staff noted the red section visible on the current sign corresponds to a historic placement in an archival photo from about 1928 and that the proposed sign would not cover what appears to be original windows behind a black area on the façade.
One board member said, “I would definitely approve of that,” characterizing the proposal as an improvement over the current sign. Staff recommended approval on the grounds that the new sign is three-dimensional, will be lifted off the surface by a few inches and better respects the building’s character-defining elements than the existing box sign.
During discussion, staff and board members noted the storefront appears to read as a single wide opening historically, though it contains two modern storefront entries today; staff said there is precedent in the district for signs that span the full width of a building when historical evidence shows that configuration.
A separate, brief consent vote earlier in the meeting approved the minutes of the board’s Nov. 25, 2024 meeting by voice vote.
Board approval of the sign clears the applicant to move forward with the installed design as presented to the board. Staff said the applicant will proceed with installation under the board’s approval and any applicable city permitting requirements.
