Chick-fil-a sign to have LED lighting, mobile text
The iconic sign that illuminates the north gateway to Clintonville will have a modern look when Chick-fil-a takes over the northeast corner of North High Street and Morse Road.
“We look forward to working through the approval process with the city of Columbus and are excited by the prospect of joining this neighborhood,” a statement from Chick-fil-a stated. “We have thoughtfully designed our new restaurant plan around the site’s historic sign, keeping it on-site to honor its legacy.”
The Atlanta, Georgia, chain is taking over the former Tee Jaye’s Country Place restaurant, 4910 N. High St. The current building will be demolished.
Tee Jaye’s, meanwhile, will move a few blocks south to the vacant Bareburger location, 4560 N. High St.
An estimated opening for each restaurant has not been announced.
Chick-fil-a is seeking a rezoning for the property, which has not been scheduled with the Columbus Development Commission. City Council will have the final say.
The 35-foot curved sign with an arrow pointing down will be have LED lights, replacing the neon lights, that will signal motion.
The sign will bear the Chick-fil-a log but it has not
been determined how the lower panel will be used. The bottom sign will have mobile messaging.
The dimensions will not change, said Rebecca Mott, a local attorney representing Chick-fil-a.
Officials were quick to point out that the owl, perched at the top of the sign’s arc, will be preserved.
“The identification sign will remain an integral part of the redevelopment of the property and will remind the community of the property’s nostalgic business history – preserved with sentimental and historical value – as a piece of art, which will be further enhanced and beautified in order to capture its true nature and original design elements using newer technologies for optimal results,” Mott said.
“The sign will be something for which the community can always be proud,” Mott said.
The land owner is Shriner’s Hospital for Children, according to the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
The sign has a 60-year history in Clintonville; its first affiliation was with Jerry’s Drive-in restaurant, which opened in 1961. It was recast in the 1980s for Sisters
Restaurant and stood sentry to Tee Jaye’s for 29 years following.
“It’s exciting to see the sign will be preserved and reused,” said Becky West, executive director of Columbus Landmarks, a group advocating for the preservation of historic architecture, adaptive reuse of old buildings and new design excellence. “I think they’re making a good effort to adaptively ruse a historic sign for their purposes today.”
Also, according the site plan, a Valvoline oil-changing business will be moved to the east of the property at the corner of Morse and Arbor Village Drive. gseman@thisweeknews.com @Thisweekgary