Quoted Text

Signs of excess visible in downtown Schenectady

    Recently there was opposition to the demolition of 440 State St. [Jan. 31 Gazette]. The merits of that building are in the eyes of the beholder.
    What is lacking in the concern for downtown heritage is the proliferation of blade signs on historic buildings. An example is the [former] Wallace Company building at 415 State St. The facade is now marred by three signs that project out from the building and a modern glass canopy, none of which were part of the original design. Windows on the upper floors on right side of the building are now frosted glass to hide the utility equipment behind the wall. And there is green lettering on the upper left corner, which looks like graffi ti to me.
    True, blade signs existed previously. A good example was the RKO sign on the Proctors marquee. The anchors for that sign can still be seen as yellow medallions on the current facade. Thankfully, it was removed and we have the present canopy, which is compatible with the original structure.
    But the signage on 415 State St. is excessive. Let’s not tart up historic buildings with modern kitsch embellishments.
    JAMES A. BAILEY
    Schenectady

Quoted from bumblethru

Who gives a crap about the signage downtown? Nobody goes down there any way except for the panhandlers, drug dealers/addicts, prostitutes, pitbulls, shooters and robbers!!! And they certainly don't care. If anything.....the signage is nothing but a waste of $$$.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I don't see anything excessive with the signage on the building in Downtown Schenectady -- the signs seem to be a reasonable standard size and projection from the face of the building.  If anything, they help people find business locations and other venues fairly easily.