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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 09-22 HPB Meeting Minutes RegularM E M O R A N D U M TO: Heritage Preservation Board FROM: Patsy M. Johnson SUBJECT: Special Meeting scuss Edina Theatre, Sign Colors DATE: September 22, 1988 at 5:30 p.m., Edina City Hall Council Chambers A special meeting will be held on Thursday, September 22, 1988, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed colors for the Edina Theatre Sign. Mr. Al Brown from Kofman Engineering Company will be here from Toronto representing Cineplex Corporation. In October, 1976, the Heritage Preservation Board made a finding that the marquee and the front facade of the Edina Theatre is an important visual element in the City and an excellent example of 1930's commercial design that should be preserved. At that time the owners of Edina Theatre were proposing to remodel and divide the auditorium. The Board requested that staff contact the owner so the Heritage Preservation Board could review any modifications to the marquee and front facade. In August, 1981, the Heritage Preservation Board supported a sign variance to allow the reconstruction of the non -conforming marquee after it was destroyed by a tornado. This was to be accomplished with cooperation by the owner to insure preservation. The rationale of the Heritage Preservation Board at that time was the historic and architectural significance of the building and marquee, and its importance as a community landmark. It should be noted that the color of the sign has changed over the years. It is known that the sign has been most continuously red and white or cream. More information on the color however, will be available at our meeting on Thursday. The current reconstruction of the theatre will preserve the 50th Street facade, the tower and marquee. All painted areas will be stripped to expose the original brick. This is consistent with earlier recommendations of the Board. The restoration includes repair and repainting the marquee. The owners are proposing pink and blue to complement their color scheme for the new theatre. Heritage Preservation Board Special Meeting Thursday, September 22, 1988 at 5:30 p.m. Edina City Hall Council Chambers Colors for the Edina Theatre Marquee Members Present: David Gepner, Gordon Stuart, Cy Stuppy, Don Wray, and John Metil (arrived late) Members Absent: Gary Nyberg, Lois Wilder Others Present: Al Brown, Kofman Engineering Staff Present: Patsy Johnson Mr. Stuart called the meeting to order. Mr. Stuart asked Mr. Brown if he wanted to start the meeting with remarks about the designs on the wall for what has been proposed. Mr. Brown is with Kofman Engineering, the project engineering firm contracted by Cineplex. They were not involved in the original negotiations which set up the color patterns for this project. It was noted that the Cineplex colors are a deeper purple/blue and darker pink. They would like to see these colors used as they are shown on the graphics. Mr. Brown pointed out that all the colors for the theatre were selected to match one another. The exception would be the doorways on the tenant spaces. Cineplex is looking to continue the color mix for the tenant doors. Mr. Brown is presenting these to the Board for our approval. They are trying to maintain as much as they can the character of the theatre. They want to produce something the community will be proud of and that will be around for at least the next 50 years. Mr. Brown then asked for questions from the Board. Mr. Gepner asked if the original colors of the marquee were blue/black and white. Dr. David Gebhard was contacted by staff and he indicated he thought those were the original colors. Dr. Gebhard also has a slide from 1959 showing the marquee with a deep red background and cream colored letters. In the Northwest Architectural Archives is a color rendering of a proposed remodeling of the theatre from 1940. That showed the marquee in an orange/pink and blue/green. Discussion followed regarding these colors. Mr. Stuart felt the real issue is to preserve the configuration of the marquee since we can't be sure what the colors were in the 1930's. Mr. Stuppy said he thought the blue and pink didn't look too bad. Mr. Gepner asked if the colors were all tied together and rather awkward to change at this point. Mr. Brown said it is a little late to change the interior colors but Cineplex could change the marquee color. He said they would rather not, however, because of the way these blend with the colors from the interior. They are striving for consistency with the colors. Mr. Gepner indicated he felt the group appreciated the fact that Cineplex is allowing us some input but in his mind the colors may be too trivial not to go along with it. N Ms. Johnson pointed out to the group that the white ziggurat has been consistently white or cream. Mr. Wray said he didn't see how the color can be of historical value. Mr. Wray felt it might be a more pleasing asset to the community in the proposed color. Discussion followed. Mr. Gepner moved that the design be accepted as presented. Mr. Wray seconded the motion. All voted aye. The motion carried. Mr. Brown said he will do what he can to get the colors on the tenant space doors changed to compliment the theatre colors. Discussion of the progress of the theatre followed. Mr. Metil joined the meeting at this point. The discussion continued regarding the status of other existing Cineplex theatres such as the Cooper and future Cineplex theatres. Mr. Metil asked if everyone had seen the letter from Gary Nyberg and if we had discussed the idea of pink not being a period color. Discussion ensued as to whether or not the pink and blue would be consistent with the era. Staff indicated that this particular color combination would not be inconsistent with the period. Mr. Metil wanted his concern for this issue to be expressed. His concern was for the relevancy of these colors to the period. Mr. Gepner moved to adjourn. Mr. Metil asked that his dissent on this vote be recorded. He did not feel the right homework was presented to vote on this. Mr. Stuppy seconded the motion to adjourn. No objections. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Patsy M. Johnson