The City Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Tuesday during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting to discuss an array of issues, including a recurring event centered around the Park Theater sign.
“As I’m sure you are aware, the marquee has been hit several times,” explained Parks and Recreation Director Justin Scott. “Specifically, it has been hit three times this year as I noted, in Jan., April and Aug.”
The frequency with which the sign is damaged by vehicles is owed to the fact it overhangs the street by six to eight inches, Park Theater Director Joe Harvey explained as he appeared before the Board of Aldermen. As a way of resolving this problem, Harvey suggested utilizing the parking space in front of the marquee to prevent motorists from parking there.
“The parking spot outside is actually pretty square on it. The tip that usually gets hit is in the middle of the parking space,” Harvey went on to describe the logistics of the proposed change. “Eliminating the parking space or altering the parking space to where it would have some kind of physical barrier to keep people from hitting it would be what I think would be a good idea.”
The complicated repairs incur a cost of about $3.5K each time the sign is struck.
“It’s basically a custom job any time you go to get it fixed,“ Harvey explained to the aldermen. “Neon is not easy to come by as it’s not regularly made, so it’s all custom parts. There’s a custom piece of sheet metal on the bottom, too. It’s not an easy fix, and it’s not a quick fix either.”
Ideas for design alterations for the area include an accessibility ramp or greenery, though Harvey was receptive to alderman Stacey Harvey’s suggestions of a playbill as a permanent fixture to utilize the space.
The board could not vote on a motion to approve changes during this month’s meeting, but Everett Brock and Rachel Kirby were in favor of instituting temporary changes to prevent further damage until a more permanent resolution could be found.
“I don’t see any problem with blocking it off, just temporarily,” said Brock.
“Or just (use) planters,” offered Kirby. “Until we get something a little more artsy.”
Alderman Steve Harvey, with a second from alderman Zach Sutton, passed a motioned to discuss the issue further in a future meeting, but allowed Park Theater to place planters or other barriers in the designated space in front of the marquee for the time being.
