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South Bend and St. Joseph County HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 227 WEST JEFFERSON BLVD. - SOUTH BEND, IN 46601-1830 Phone: 574-235-9798 Fax: 574-235-9578 e-mail: historic@michiana.org John H. Oxian, President A Certified Local Government Karen R. Hammond -Nash, Director September 10, 2004 David Duvall, Architectural Historian Division of Historic Preservation & Archeology Department of natural Resources 402 West Washington Street, Suite 274 < Indianapolis, IN 46204 RE: Palais Royal; Proposed 2nd story sign Dear David: As you are aware, Dennis Andres, on behalf of the Palais Royal., sought a advisory opinion last month regarding the suitability of a proposed sign for the South side of the Palais Royal. The plan for the sign was devised by City Awning (Mr. Skip McCmy), the same company that made the canopy over the door on the south side of the Palais, and which has made retractable awnings for several of its sidewalk windows. As you have also heard by now, the preservation commission, after some discussion, including praise for the general high quality of the materials City Awing uses, and the fine workmanship W. McCray produces, rendered an opinion that the proposed sign is not appropriate. The primary reason for this is that the historic record indicates no sign, of any style or descrip- tion, ever was mounted or intended on the South fagade of the building, above the level of the first floor. Secondly, the sign that is proposed is an Art Deco or Art Nouveau style; very linear and crisp (somewhat the style used in the Bistro restaurant below), and not at all similar to or compatible with the Baroque Spanish Revival style of the building. Thirdly, the bolts that would be necessary to secure the canvas sign against the winds off the river would need to be substantial in size and length, and would damage the brick wall into which they were secured. Yours, Karen R. Hammond -Nash, Director COMMISSIONERS Mary Jane Chase Virginia O'Hair (Secretary) Gerald Ujdak (Vice President) Martha Choitz Lynn A. Patrick Diane Wrobel-Illes Catherine Hostetler (Treasurer) Joann Sporleder (Architectural Historian) John Livingston (Attorney)