Classic Salt Lake City. - Page 13

Comrade Reynolds · #**241** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 4:33 AM**

I wish we could bring back these lights...

urbanboy · #**242** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 8:34 AM**

I love the thermometer on the Tribune Building!

Is that a crawl on the Crandal Building?

MetroFanatic · #**243** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 12:19 PM**

I just wished that theater was still there.

Future Mayor · #**244** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 3:13 PM**

It's still there, just not currently in use. Here's to hoping

shakman · #**245** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 4:36 PM**

IMO... Neon lights give life to streetscapes.

That thermometer is a classic.

Future Mayor · #**246** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 4:40 PM**

I agree with the neon, I also have to say that the blade signs give a street character and depth.

shakman · #**247** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 4:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I agree with the neon, I also have to say that the blade signs give a street character and depth.

I apologize for my lack of understanding by asking, what are "blade signs"?

scottharding · #**248** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:20 PM**

I really hope they bring the Utah theatre back to life. Now that the site has been selected for the new performing arts space, I really hope they go ahead and convert it to a film space. And when they do, I hope they bring the lights, signs, and marquees back.

urbanboy · #**249** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:21 PM**

Those that are perpendicular to the front of the building and stick out into the street, and not just mounted on parallel to the building. Sadly, Salt Lake City government passed a city ordinance years ago that prohibited this type of signage in an attempt to clean up and beautify the City. This ordinance affected many vintage signs including the Capitol Theater sign (which is now at trolley square) the Walker Tower weather beacon (which is one reason why the developer needed special permission from the City Council in order to restore the sign), and many of those seen in the photograph posted by Comrade.

Future Mayor · #**250** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:29 PM**

I e-mailed back and forth with a member of the SLC planning staff or council regarding blade signs and the need for those to enliven the downtown area. I was particularly interested in them at the time because I was developing a development proposal that would have utilized them.

If I recall correctly there are areas within the city that they actually will allow blade signs. I will attempt to remember what e-mail address I used for that conversation and post the individuals reply.

SLC Projects · #**251** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottharding

I really hope they bring the Utah theatre back to life. Now that the site has been selected for the new performing arts space, I really hope they go ahead and convert it to a film space. And when they do, I hope they bring the lights, signs, and marquees back.

I was just thinking the same thing.

Future Mayor · #**252** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:38 PM**

Found it. This is an e-mail dated November 1, 2007

(Future Mayor)* thank you for your inquiry with regards to blade signs. The Planning Division has responded as follows:

Projecting Building signs (commonly known as "blade signs") are allowed in the Downtown D-1, Gateway GMU, and Sugarhouse SHCBD zoning districts. The size (of sign) in Sugarhouse is based upon the linear footage of the storefront (maximum 40 square feet). The size in Downtown and Gateway is 9 square feet, except live theaters, anchor retail and historic buildings which are allowed up to 125 square feet

* Names have been changed to protect the guilty.

So while they are allowed it seems as if they do have limited sizes and that many developers simply aren't utilizing them. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few incorporated into CCC on the city streets, especially Main St.

cololi · #**253** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 6:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Those that are perpendicular to the front of the building and stick out into the street, and not just mounted on parallel to the building. Sadly, Salt Lake City government passed a city ordinance years ago that prohibited this type of signage in an attempt to clean up and beautify the City. This ordinance affected many vintage signs including the Capitol Theater sign (which is now at trolley square) the Walker Tower weather beacon (which is one reason why the developer needed special permission from the City Council in order to restore the sign), and many of those seen in the photograph posted by Comrade.

FM responded, but this is not true. They did put size restrictions on them and if they overhang the sidewalk they need a special approval. Walker Bank had to get a variance because the old sign was taller than what is allowed today. You can still do roof signs, but they have limits. The variance was granted because it was replicating a historic sign. Other downtown building have roof signs that have roof signs have not had to go through this process. City council was not involved.

The capitol theater sign was taken down because it did not have a large enough span to cross the pavement when the road was widened and finally paved.

Future Mayor · #**254** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 7:43 PM**

Are you saying my statement wasn't true or UrbanBoys statement wasn't true?

urbanboy · #**255** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 7:47 PM**

I think mine. I didn't realize the Capitol Theater sign was moved so the road could be widened.

Future Mayor · #**256** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 7:59 PM**

Well I think that it's nice that they allow some sort of blade sign, but the ordinance needs to be changed, especially if they are striving to create an entertainment district somewhere in the city. 9 sq ft per side is so tiny, and the fact that a Parking structure blade sign can be the same size is ridiculous.

Case in point, in my former residence (Cleveland) an old run down street has been turned into an entertainment district that has truly helped revitalize downtown. The street would have nowhere near the same character without the blade signs. I'm not proposing allow them all over town but maybe in specific overlay development zones, for instance on a half street like Regent, Richards or Exchange (just to name a few).

Check out all the blade signs in what is called East 4th Street.

If I can get a development proposal going and picking up some steam that has a large entertainment element to it, I will approach Council in my development review to either change the ordinance or to apply an overlay or variance to create something like this. A perfect place for this would be in UrbanBoys, 400 S - 500 S/Main - W. Temple proposal (somewhere on the SLC thread)

cololi · #**257** Posted: **Feb 3, 2009, 8:02 PM**

I was refering to Urban Boys. I do agree, there needs to be more leeway with signs downtown, but they need to reinforce a sense of place and not be billboards.

TANGELD_SLC · #**258** Posted: **Feb 4, 2009, 8:10 AM**

I for one approve of bringing back the neons, at least in certain areas of downtown. It would bring back alot of character. Not cheesy Vegas crap either.

shakman · #**259** Posted: **Feb 4, 2009, 4:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

I for one approve of bringing back the neons, at least in certain areas of downtown. It would bring back alot of character. Not cheesy Vegas crap either.

Lighting is important. I agree with you about the Vegas crap. SLC should be SLC, not look like a "Disneyworld".

(I refer to Vegas as the Adult version of Disneyworld.)

urbanboy - Thank you for the explanation relative to blade lights.

urbanboy · #**260** Posted: **Feb 5, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Hotel Newhouse:

This photo was taken from the top of the Hotel Newhouse.

Many Salt Lake City high school choirs had their photos taken on these steps

Briefly owned and then demolished by Earl Holding (owner of Sinclair Oil, Snowbasin Ski Resort, Little and Grand America Hotels). A friend of Earl declared the building structurally unsound. Earl Holding had the historic building demoed, and as a result, enjoyed a hefty property tax reduction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhH5TYXLsnE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Newhouse