Historic Resources Commission approves projecting sign for Albany Capital Center after debate over internal illumination

Albany City’s Historic Resources Commission voted to approve a projecting (blade) sign for the Albany Capital Center’s State Street frontage after members weighed visibility benefits, mounting details and whether the internally illuminated design should be allowed.

Tom Wheeler of AJ Sign Company described the proposal as an aluminum-faced projecting sign with letters cut into the face and half-inch acrylic pushed through so “only the letters illuminate. It’s not a light box. It’s a…classier, softer lighting than a light box would be,” he said. Brandon Stapler, the development consultant for the project, said the sign is proposed at about 11 feet tall — smaller than a 15-foot projecting sign previously approved for the Renaissance Hotel — and argued that the internal LED illumination avoids additional facade penetrations required for external goose-neck fixtures.

Planning staff told the commission the application was referred to the HRC because the sign had been classified under the sign code as a cabinet-style internally illuminated sign; staff recommended conditioning approval to require a historically appropriate, non-cabinet sign (i.e., avoid internal illumination) even though the sign’s size otherwise complied with code. Commissioners debated whether to make an exception to the code given newer lighting technology and the successful precedent at the Renaissance Hotel.

Monica, executive director of the convention center authority, told the commission the authority supports a visible State Street presence to help pedestrians and drivers find the venue and said banners and flag-pole activations could be used in the future to supplement wayfinding. She said the authority has bookings and scheduling deadlines that contribute to an accelerated construction timeline.

A remote commenter identified as Lee said they had no objection to the sign but questioned the trapezoidal (‘teacup’) shape used for the Albany Capital Center portion of the graphic and urged careful attachment: “I suggest…attach the attachments go directly into a stone block rather than a joint,” noting that through-bolts placed in mortar joints can complicate future repairs. Planning staff and commissioners responded that final decisions on anchor placement would depend on field measurements of joint widths and bolt diameters and that standard practice often places anchors in mortar joints when feasible for reparability.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the sign as proposed; the motion was seconded and the chair declared the motion carried. The transcript records the approval but does not provide a numerical vote tally or name the mover and seconder.

The commission also noted that the agenda item for 10 Willet Street was removed and deferred to the HRC meeting on May 7. The meeting was adjourned after the votes and reminders that future meetings are live-streamed and available via the city agenda center and YouTube.