After the excitement during the last Design Review Committee meeting, this one was rather sedate focusing on mostly signage, including a very powerful, interactive one close to Regions Field (see UPDATE below).

Avondale

The new owner of a circa-1910 home in Avondale presented exterior renovation plans to the committee. Previously approved by the neighborhood’s advisory committee, the updates include replacing the porch supports with columns that resemble the original design of the home, new windows, a new porch floor, exterior paint, and replacement roofing. The original window openings will need to be shortened to accommodate interior kitchen renovations on one side of this one-story house. In addition, the new owners plan to install central heating and air. The committee approved the renovations with the direction for the homeowner to work with staff on appropriate exterior colors.

Midtown

Matthew Hamilton, representing TEDxBirmingham, circulated plans for a community art project sponsored by the organization. The temporary project will be the first time Candy Chang’s “Before I Die” project will come to Birmingham. The project will be installed at 112 14^th Street South (across from Regions Field) and will remain until the building owner begins renovations this October.

UPDATE: A Kickstarter campaign launched on Wednesday afternoon, July 9, to help raise $2,000 in two weeks for the installation of the project.

Volunteers will be updating the project regularly and photos will be taken for a project web site. The committee recommended working with both CAP and Railroad Park as they are neighbors to the project as well. The committee approved.

Five Points South

An updated signage master plan for the Dulion Building was presented Brenda Daniels of Daniel Signs. At the last meeting, the committee requested the master plan based on the signage designs for Orbit Salon on 11^th Avenue South. The new plan includes ground floor tenant signs consisting of raised letters on a black background that will be installed over the doorways. The plan was approved by the committee.

The owner of the Dulion also owns the attached building. Based on staff recommendations, the Daniel Signs worked on a master plan that would provide some consistency for signage on this block. The tenant signage on the attached building would be similar (raised letters on a black background) and installed on the transoms. The committee approved this plan as well.

Updates

At the last meeting, the committee selected two potential candidates to fill the open seat on the committee. The recommendations have been given to the city council for approval.

A subcommittee will be appointed to determine whether or not citations will be issued against Chik-fil-A based on the company’s violations at its Five Points South location.

Twice a month, the city’s Design Review Committee convenes at the Auburn University Urban Studio to discuss and approve – hopefully – plans to make alterations to the city’s structures that fall within one of the many historic and commercial revitalization districts. During this week’s meeting, committee members discussed the advantages, disadvantages, and aesthetics of seven different proposals throughout the city.

 Photo: Before I Die as currently installed in Louisville, KY. André Natta/bhamterminal.com.