HomeMy WebLinkAbout09_Boughton_Email09 Email from John Boughton, National Register Coordinator, SHPO
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On Thursday, December 1, 2022, 8:30 AM, Boughton, John <JBoughton@mt.gov> wrote to
<scott@interesources.com>:
Hello Scott,
Thank you for sharing the information for the sign plan for Westgate Village Shopping Center (1003-1011
West College Street) in Bozeman. Significant time and thought have obviously gone into the plan, that
includes a discussion of a recreation free-standing Westgate Village sign, the existing Columbo’s Pizza sign,
the rooftop frames and signs, and the “ghost” sign on the side of the Columbo Pizza portion of the building.
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) believes the plan addresses and acknowledges the importance
of the signage to the overall historic aesthetic of the property. The Sign Plan suggests use of internally lit
channel lettering. Although, different than the signage that originally graced the rooftop frames, the change
reflects the evolution of sign technology. Although not original to the property, internally lit channel lettering
is historically appropriate to the time of the building’s construction.
The effort to retain the rooftop sign frames strongly conforms to the original promotion of the different
business that occupied (and continue to occupy) the complex. Although the names of the businesses on the
signs changed over time, the method of using rooftop signage and affixing that signage to the frames
remained constant. Retention and use of the rooftop frames strongly contributes to the overall integrity of
the property.
Noting the reintroduction of the Westgate Village sign, regardless of how close in presentation to the original
the recreated sign appears, it will unfortunately count as a noncontributing element of the property, due to
its recent age. That being said, it is important to state that because it is a reintroduction and near facsimile of
the original sign that once occupied the lot, little to no diminishment in the overall integrity of the property
will occur.
Thanks again for sharing the Sign Plan with us Scott. To conclude, implementation of the Sign Plan would not
adversely affect the eligibility of listing the Westgate Village Shopping Center in the National Register.
John
John Boughton
National Register Coordinator
MT State Historic Preservation Office
Montana Historical Society
1301 E. Lockey, P.O. Box 201202
Helena, MT 59620-1202
(406) 444-3647