Commission advances Midtown and Southtown banner concepts, targets fall approval

At its April 29 meeting the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission reviewed banner concepts for Midtown and Southtown and directed further refinement to improve legibility from vehicles and to strengthen district identity.

Thomas summarized the committee’s pre-meeting: the group will move away from complex historic imagery on banners (for example, bakery or other photo-based motifs) because of placement and size constraints; instead, the commission prefers simplified iconography distinct by color palette — a warmer palette for Midtown and a cooler one for Southtown — and clear, clean logos that read at street level. Thomas said the committee intends additional rounds of design work by a professional designer and a review by the city committee, targeting fall approval so production can be ordered under the next budget cycle.

Commissioners discussed reviving a local fish motif from a former storefront as possible public art or signage for Southtown rather than putting that element on the banners themselves. The chair thanked Thomas and Zoe Hamilton for preparing the presentation and materials for the banner review. Thomas said he will produce another draft set for the commission to validate at a future meeting.

Members emphasized readability and consistency with district wayfinding, and acknowledged some imagery could be repurposed for kiosks or other signage outside the banner program. The commission did not take a formal vote but set a roadmap: further refinement, city committee review, and fall approval if the timeline holds.