Davenport design review board approves one Boozy's sign, denies two others

The Davenport Design Review Board on June 22 approved one of three wall signs installed by Boozy's Bar and Grill at the Freight House but denied two others after staff said the additional signs competed with the building’s historic facade.

At a meeting where staff introduced Case DR26-07, Matt (city staff) described the signs as a 40-square-foot south-facing panel above the business entrance and two smaller 32-square-foot panels on the north and east elevations. Staff said the Freight House corner is a prominent facade and that the north- and east-facing signs “detract from the building’s historic architectural features.” Staff recommended approving the south-facing sign while asking the board to withhold approval of the other two signs pending a more holistic wayfinding solution for all tenants in the building.

Monica, owner of Boozy's Bar and Grill, apologized to the board for not seeking prior approval and said she paid for the signs herself. She told the board customers and delivery drivers regularly have difficulty finding the business and that the signs matched the material used by a neighboring tenant. “People have a hard time trying to figure out where it’s at … they don’t know how to turn off Ripley to get into that parking lot area,” she said, asking the board to allow signage that improves visibility.

Board members acknowledged the business need but expressed concern about preserving the Freight House’s historic character and about setting a precedent that could prompt other tenants to request similar wall signs. The board and staff discussed alternatives including temporary banners, A-frame signs, blade/window signage (staff noted window signage may use up to 30% of window area under the zoning code), awnings and a shared freestanding monument sign with a brick base that would list tenants.

After discussion, a motion to approve the south-facing sign was made and seconded. Roll call votes recorded Stker, Hoff, Warren and Townsley as voting yes; the motion passed. The board then considered a separate motion to approve the north- and east-facing signs together; that motion failed on a roll call with Stker, Hoff, Warren and Townsley voting no and Anderson indicating support for leaving only the approved sign in place.

Staff reminded the board that the city owns the Freight House and that while staff is working with tenants on a more permanent, architecturally integrated wayfinding option, the city has not allocated funds for such a project; tenants would need to fund any shared monument sign. Board members suggested staff and the tenants return with alternate designs for the north and east elevations or a joint wayfinding proposal for the board’s review.

The meeting concluded with no additional public comment and formal adjournment.