Jill Jusko wrote:I don't see as many A-frames around as Mr. O'Bryan says exist, so I am not particularly bothered by them. However, this signage discussion does bring up a question I have quite frequently as I drive up and down Detroit and Madison. I know I could call the city and get an answer, but it's more a curiousity thing rather than a need-to-know.
While lots of nice window signage may exist, what I see primarily when driving down these streets is the signage above the windows. And it seems to me that vast amounts of it on both Detroit and Madison is brown lettering on a beige background, or beige lettering on a brown background, all with similar type faces. Is this some sort of requirement, or simply individual choice?
In my opinion, it's pretty bland and does little to highlight the individuality of the enterprises that inhabit the storefronts. Also, it doesn't brighten up the streets much. Obviously there are exceptions to my statement, but as a whole I think its pretty accurate. How much leeway to stores have to play with the colors and type faces on their signage?
Jill
While it not as bad as you seem to think I believe, what bothers me is that it is a growing trend. That seems to be getting worse, and more over the top. At Cerny's Shoes, there was an A-Frame to answer the Rozi's A-Frame. Farther down the street with have a Curves A-Frame to answer the Cell-Company's A-Frame, to get more attention they no have a large flag. so one would wonder how does Curves answer this challenge.
Sign escalation bothers me, and I own a sign company that sells A-Frame signs if needed but like magnetic signs on truck and cars I try to talk clients out of them. Some place they actually make sense like at the Library, one we did. They put it out a week before a book sale as they have no windows to put signage in. However it would be interesting to see what is a larger impact a sign, or an ad, or a story.
This would lead into an A-Frame on the street that says the same thing everyday, as opposed to Rozi's that they change often, so it is always grabbing attention. What is the affect on traffic does it offset the effect on sales? I do not have the answers, just the Observation.
As for the bland signage, from what I remember this goes back to 70s, when the city was trying to keep up with WestGate Mall and had decided on a standard look and color scheme for the city. Rosy Beige with Gold lettering. This slowly changed to brown lettering as people drifted and the city relaxed it stance. For over a decade neon was illegal and was grandfathered in. Deadhorse gallery was the first to just do it anyway, and Mayor Cain decided neon was hip and new and allowed it again.
Currently the laws are very tough especially for banners, and temporary signage, which an A-Frame would be considered. However those laws would appear to be ignored, as A-Frames were illegal, as was banners on residential buildings. Signage like that in all of the drugstores in town is illegal according to current code, as is using the name in more than one place or more than one business name on a building.
I suppose what bothers me most, is after carrying a $300,000 insurance policy, having to do many drawings for the building departments, including banners for temporary signage and paying fees. It would seem that others just do what they want. so what you end up with is this one block from city hall.
While it reduces the cost of start-up, it brings down the area, is a dangerous hazard, and very hard to explain to a client that just had to pay another $100 for a second rendering because the descender in their letter "p" was 1.4" too long as deemed so by the building department. As I pointed out the sign above was made with particle board that weighed about 50lbs, and was already falling apart when the "siding nails" held it to the roof kind of. In a rain the particle board falls apart and all 50lbs falls on a child and did the owner/sign company even carry insurance? Who gets sued? The city I would think for non-enforcement would be open to litigation.
So the points I am always trying to make are plenty. Safety, even playing field, and how it looks and fits into the neighborhood. I would say that the look you and I both find boring is way over the top. But Moe's is way over the top in the other direction.
Finally, no matter how many signs LakewoodAlive comes up with, or how many studies, when hung in front of Moe's, it looks terrible. When hung in front of Geiger's or The Melt it will help define and mark an area to the betterment of all.
I want to mention that it is a dream dealing with the current building department. Ever since Mayor George worked to streamline the process, a trend the current administration is also pushing, it is far better for all to go through the process.
FWIW
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