HPC of South Bend and St. Joseph County - Standards Update Draft

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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 98 For More Information: Signage A sign serves to attract attention and to convey information . Signs in commercial districts or those that are installed on a residentially de-signed site used commercially should be developed with the overall context of the building and of the area in mind . Historic signage that is no longer used—especially neon signs or those carved into the materials of the building are historic with the preferred path to retain . The National Main Street Center offers good advice about the development of signage for your building here . Best Practices • Determine what type of sign you want—mounted on the building, projecting, on an awning? • Bigger does not equal better—be creative . • One approach does not fit all—consider what will complement and enhance your specific building (and its surroundings), and your business. • Scale signs appropriately for the building—small signs are lost on large buildings; oversize signs can cover windows and architectural detail. • Plastic back-lit signs are not good options for the district. • Murals should be reversible—do not paint previously unpainted masonry . • Consider murals mounted on panels in a frame that is attached in mortar joints—easily removable for new image or to refresh paint . • Vinyl murals should not be applied to brick without testing to insure it can be removed without damaging brick . • Signage colors need to be in sync with the overall color scheme of the building and the overall vision for the district . Murals The creation of murals on buildings within the district is a local decision . We would encourage a discussion about the nature and placement of these new artworks to form a consensus of the vision for the endeavor . When initially created such art installations can provide an interesting spark . Experience has shown though that some thought should go into longer term issues that arise . From a best-practices standpoint we would offer the following guidance. Murals should: • Not be painted on front facades (including those facades facing both streets of a corner building) . • Not be painted on unpainted masonry—especially on walls exposed from the demolition of an adjacent building . An agreement should be put in place with the building owner specifically covering: • Permission for the work to be installed and outlining insurance and liability coverage during initial creation and later during repainting naming owner as additional insured—see also below . • Who is responsible for funding and completing the on-going maintenance and future?—repainting of the mural itself? • Who is responsible for paying for repair of the building if is caused by deterioration?—associated with the mural being placed on the building? • Who and what factors would allow for the mural to be painted over in the future including a sign off from the artist acknowledging such rights? • If the mural will be painted over—who is responsible for paying for that work? • Who is responsible for maintaining the underlying building materials? While performing needed building maintenance, if the mural is damaged, what are the expectations regarding it being repainted as originally created or painted over and the funding for that work? Return to the Table of Contents Signage DRAFT