Historic district approves signs for Murphy Arts District
Three signs proposed for the Murphy Arts District were approved by members of the El Dorado Historic District Commission during a special meeting Friday.
On July 13, a Certificate of Appropriateness was presented for the signage and after some discussion at that time – mostly questioning what materials would be used in construction of the signs – commissioners requested more information before approving such a certificate.
The first proposals included “acrylic, semi-translucent material” for back-lit signs, which commissioners classified as plastic and prohibited within the district. The proposals approved Friday had been changed to include aluminum and vinyl signs.
Austin Barrow, chief operating officer and president for El Dorado Festivals and Events and MAD, presented amended proposals for signage on Friday – one sign to show the “Griffin Music Hall” with an arrow pointing to the Music Hall; another will be LED illuminated channel letters with red acrylic faces and separate TIX letters to designate the ticket office and a third will be placed to show festival-goers where they can find the Griffin Restaurant.
Commissioners unanimously approved the Griffin Music Hall and TIX signs on Friday. During both the July 13 and Friday special meetings, some commissioners voiced concern over a mythical “griffin” logo included on the restaurant sign. Six of the seven commissioners were present at Friday’s meeting, with four approving the restaurant sign and logo and two offering dissenting votes. A griffin is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and head, wings and legs that resemble those of an eagle.
After approving the sign proposals, commissioners listed specific historic district design
guidelines that would allow them to approve the certificates for MAD.
Some commissioners questioned the red on the Music Hall arrow sign, while others noted several businesses in the downtown area that have red signs. After discussion about the Music Hall sign, Chairman Ken Bridges said, “It looks like this sign meets with our approval” and falls within the historic district’s palette for allowed colors.
Barrow said it would take from six to eight weeks to install the approved signs.
A proposed rooftop sign – which would be visible from the Hillsboro viaduct and several other main thoroughfares in and around the MAD district – was tabled for more discussion, along with two MAD directional signs. Barrow said he would submit additional proposals and information for commissioners to consider approving a certificate for those signs in the near future.
Commissioner Parks Hammond requested that photos of the festival district from the viaduct and streets around the area be submitted in the certificate request regarding the rooftop sign. He said directional signs, which would be placed at ground level, might not be sturdy enough to stand up to possible vandalism and graffiti. Barrow said he would research those issues before submitting proposals for the additional signs. Hammond also requested a certificate request that includes information on how signs would be cleaned and maintained, and asked that the commission be informed about bollards and other ideas for the district. Commissioners agreed, due to the fact that the MAD district is scheduled to open Sept. 27 with a variety of wellknown musical performers – such as ZZ Top and Brad Paisley – and thousands of attendees predicted during the celebration, they would hold another special meeting if needed before their next regular meeting regarding the other proposed signs for the district.
The regular meeting is scheduled to be held at noon Aug. 10 in the second floor conference room at El Dorado City Hall, said Elizabeth Eggleston, executive director of the commission.