2 replies to this topic

[Rob Randall]

This is the former 7-11 Bingo hall and the temporary location of the Open Door shelter. It will be renovated to house AVI, and a health/dental clinic.

This is great, but one minor thing caught my eye which bothered me. This is a letter I sent to Council:

I know this is fairly minor compared to the other CotW agenda items but I wanted to mention the rehabilitation of 713 Johnson. I'm glad to see it being fixed up and I support the intended usage but something caught my eye when I was looking over the presentation. The architect plans on repainting the fading cigar and wagon manufacturer painted advertising signage using the assumed original colour scheme.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this aspect of the restoration. Generally, I feel it is inauthentic to repaint this variety of signage. Other murals and signs I believe can and should be repainted (or replaced if they are no longer wanted). For instance, the Montrose Apartments sign was recently repainted (albeit rather clumsily) and this is acceptable because it reflects the building's current usage and is not solely a historical relic. The Wyland Whaling wall mural on the Chandler's building on Wharf Street is in desperate need of repainting and there is no charm in seeing it deteriorate.

I'm certain that the reason for the repainting will be that the extensive restoration would otherwise destroy what is left of the signage. I value old signage like this. It adds character to the urban landscape and acts as a tangible piece of Victoria's history. However, to repaint it is to recontextualize it into a 2008 version of a turn-of-the-century relic, a move that smacks of phoniness.

I would prefer to see the mural naturally and honestly deteriorate into nothingness rather than see it obliterated in a well-intended yet ham-fisted attempt at cleansing and correcting the streetscape.

Robert Randall

[D.L.]

Exactly.

[Rob Randall]

I talked to the City Planner involved with this and learned the sign won't be repainted. No-one was in favour of it being repainted, not Council, or the Heritage Advisory Committee or Planning. Even the owner of the property (VIHA) was against it--but not for heritage reasons...because they don't want a cigar sign on their property!!!!

So the sign (which is mostly faded anyway) will likely continue to disappear, especially once the interior and exterior brickwork is reinforced and cleaned.

So a good outcome. CotW passed it this morning.