SF won’t flip on Palace Hotel’s rooftop signs just yet
The San Francisco Planning Commission noted that the Palace Hotel’s two rooftop signs, one of which is pictured above in 2018, have been “generally non-functional” for the last five years. Thomas Hawk/Flickr
From the San Francisco Examiner: A pair of neon signs perched high above San Francisco’s historic Palace Hotel will not return to their illuminated glory on Market Street for at least another month.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday delayed its vote on whether or not to approve a project which could convert the rooftop signs’ neon lights to LED lights meant to simulate the former’s effects. Wednesday’s delay marked the second time in the last month that a hearing regarding the lights was pushed back. Planning officials said the lights largely haven’t worked since 2019.
The commission first heard arguments during a five-hour hearing on March 20 before deciding to push the vote to its April 3 meeting. On Wednesday, commissioners decided to vote on the matter when the entire board is present, which is expected to be at a May 1 meeting.
SEYMOUR’S DARKROOM: SHAPED BUILDINGS
“The Tamale” East Los Angeles, 1971. Seymour Rosen
From SPACESarchives: In 1976, Seymour Rosen’s photographs were exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. That groundbreaking exhibition, commissioned by SFMOMA as part of their bicentennial celebration, titled “In Celebration of Ourselves,” included over 700 photographs as well as materials from 34 California art environments.
Most of the images and objects on display illustrated events, people, and arts that had never before received museum exposure—including shaped buildings. Rosen later published a book with the same title (1979) that documented the range of works included in that noteworthy exhibition – in this book, Rosen highlights the cultural atmosphere that made these buildings possible.
Historic downtown Orlando sign to be illuminated in public for the 1st time in decades
Orange Court Motor Lodge sign – The Orange Court Motor Lodge sign, created in the 1950s, was designed by Jack Poole. (Morse Museum)
From WFTV: WINTER PARK, Fla. — A historic downtown Orlando neon sign will soon be illuminated in public for the first time in more than 30 years.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in downtown Winter Park will host a free event next month during which it will publicly illuminate the 1950s-era neon sign that once stood outside the Orange Court Motor Lodge.
The “Neon Night” event is scheduled for April 12.
Sign of the times: Iconic Ashland (OR) restaurant sign caught up in regulatory kerfuffle
Omar’s Restaurant in October 2022. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
From Ashland.news: Omar’s restaurant owner Jennifer Sink said she gave up accepting funding to expand her patio space after the restaurant’s iconic neon sign put her at odds with Ashland city code.
In 2020, as the pandemic made operating a restaurant increasingly challenging, Sink said she was able to get funding from the U.S Small Business Administration to create an expanded patio space. She hired an architect and contractors and had a vision for a space with lights, music, fire pits and an awning with fans and misters for the summer heat that would seat 25 to 30 people. But when she took her plans to the city of Ashland’s Community Development Department, she said she was met with a choice — give up the patio idea or give up autonomy over her sign.
Fall River’s Nite Owl expected to have new life with potential renovation, sale
From the Fall River Reporter: An iconic Fall River, MA, landmark could soon see new life.
Antone Dias, representing owner Joseph Nasrallah, went in front of the Historical Commission Tuesday stating that Nasrallah is looking to sell or renovate the former Nite Owl Restaurant and get it on the Fall River Register as a significant and historic place before hopefully getting on the National Register.
Dias stated that the main goal is to sell the entire property on the corner of Pleasant Street and Eastern Avenue including the parking lot.
Fare Share: Take a Look Inside These Historic Small Restaurants
Benjamin Rasmussen
From Savingplaces.org: Since 2021, the National Trust and American Express have presented the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. Seventy-five establishments, including those featured here, have been chosen to receive grants to fund preservation work and other projects aimed at helping these businesses thrive.