Preservation Commission Denies LED Sign at Warehouse District Bar
Minneapolis commissioners voted 10-0 to reject a retroactive application for a dynamic LED sign and window film at 411 Washington Avenue North, home of The Rabbit Hole.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission voted unanimously, 10-0, to deny a preservation application for a dynamic LED sign at 411 Washington Avenue North in Ward 3, finding that the illuminated changeable-copy sign conflicts with design guidelines for the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District.
City staff recommended denial, telling commissioners that the district's sign and awning guidelines expressly prohibit dynamic signage and warn against covering features that define a building's character.
The sign and awning guidelines do state that dynamic signs and dynamic changeable copy signs are not permitted. Um and also those guidelines note that sign should not obscure or damage character defining features including windows, doors, plasters, columns and historic signs.
The application, which came before the commission retroactively after the sign and an interior window film had already been installed, drew a vigorous defense from the applicant's representative. He argued that neither element altered the building permanently and that the district's commercial character has shifted over time.
Ultimately what we are talking about is something that is making no permanent changes to this building. We're talking about a film that's on the interior of the building inside of the window and a dynamic sign. And the question then becomes, you know, is this disrupting the historic character of the district? And I would submit absolutely not.
Hansen pressed the point further, telling commissioners that rigid rules risk stifling the businesses that occupy historic buildings.
I think that today the warehouse district is not storing materials. This is an entertainment district and this is consistent with that and it's doing so in a way that does not disrupt or do permanent damage to it in any way. And if we're not going to allow the commercial use to evolve, you run the risk of freezing these things in amber and then the question becomes how are you going to preserve it long term?
Other Topics from This Document
Preservation Application for Mechanical Louvers (Pop-up Bagels)
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