Sign choice OK'd

Several proposed projects in downtown Portland got the nod Wednesday night.

Two projects were to replace signs on businesses located along the west side of Meridian Street. The other request was to put a vehicle hoist outside of a business.

The first project the Portland Historic Preservation Commission reviewed was a request to replace a large sign at Franklin's Electrical Service, 304 and 306 N. Meridian St.

Greg Franklin said he plans to replace the Masonite sign with the same material.

He said part of the building used to be a theater, but the marquis was removed about 1970.

Joe Jarzen, of Indiana Landmarks, said although Masonite is not recommended in the Downtown Portland Historic District Design Guidelines, Franklin would not be covering up anything historic by replacing the sign.

Commission members voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project.

Also approved by the commission was the replacement of a sign at Wishmaster Tattoo, 210 N. Meridian St.

Jim Jenney, owner of Display Craft, said the property owner asked him to create a larger, yellow sign with red lettering to replace an existing sign above the front window of the store.

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The sign would be ¼-inch thick and have a baked enamel finish with vinyl lettering. The existing sign is yellow with red lettering.

Jarzen said the materials for the sign would be similar to others in the district.

Commission member Barry Hudson said he was worried that the sign colors would overwhelm the storefront.

"I don't think it will overwhelm the neon," Jenney said. Several of the commission members laughed. The front window on the business is outlined with neon lights.

Commission members voted to approve the COA, but recommended that the property owner consider a more subtle color palette.

In other business, commission members approved a COA for a vehicle hoist to be added on the lot of the Portland Tire Center, 421 N. Meridian St.

Mike Wangler said the hoist would be located on the Race Street side of the property. It would be 10-feet tall, have two posts and could easily be removed. Wangler said he has no room inside his garage for another hoist.

Commission member Pat Sheffer asked if there would be any safety issues with having a hoist where pedestrians could easily access it.

Wangler said he likely would not leave the hoist up overnight, and that the electricity will be shut off at night.

Sheffer said she felt the commission really had no authority over the project because it would not be attached to a building or negatively affect the façade.

Also Wednesday, commission members:

•Learned that Jarzen had approved a new sign at Bixler Real Estate, 122 N. Meridian St., and the replacement of the fabric on the awning of First Merchants Bank, 112 W. Main St. Jarzen has been authorized by the commission to grant approval for proposed work which he believes is not in conflict with historic guidelines.

•Learned that the commission did not need to take action on a request to put metal siding on Portland Tire and Service, 210 S. Meridian St.

Jarzen said that because the building was built less than 50 years ago (in 1968) it is not subject to regulation by the commission.

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