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Commission gives design guidance on awnings, marquee and signage for Park Street storefronts; continues concept review
Summary
Designers for storefronts at 511–517 Park Street received feedback to use squared‑edge awnings rather than rounded barrel shapes, avoid permanently opaque glazing, and refine marquee and blade sign scale; commission asked for revised renderings and material options.
Designers seeking conceptual guidance for storefront treatments at 511–517 Park Street presented marquee, awning and signage options and were asked by the Historic Resources Commission to refine the proposal so it better matches the building’s prairie‑commercial character.
The design team described a corner marquee with bulb lighting, several rounded awnings and a blade sign. Commissioners supported activating the street but expressed concerns about rounded awnings that conflict with the building’s square, prairie‑informed lines; they urged exploring flat‑sloped or squared awnings and encouraged larger, more proportionate blade signage if a blade is used. Commissioners also discouraged permanently opaque window graphics that would remove visual depth; staff suggested alternatives such as a shallow display box or backlit recessed panel that preserves the reading of a storefront while allowing internal program elements like restrooms.
The commission continued the conceptual review and asked the applicant to return with multiple iterations: alternative awning profiles (square in elevation/section), marquee details including static (non‑flashing) bulb lighting preferences and options for treating windows so they read like storefronts rather than solid walls.
