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Liverpool business owner told to cover paint job

Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert The owner of this vape shop in East Liverpool has been told by the city’s Design Review Board he must cover this colorful hand-painted graphic and return the storefront to its original black color.

EAST LIVERPOOL — A business owner has been ordered to cover a colorful graphic design hand-painted on his storefront’s facade because it fails to mesh with the downtown historic district’s appearance.

During a meeting last week of the Design Review Board, Bradley Anderson, owner of the Juice Connection, 136 E. Fifth St., asked for a certificate of appropriateness for his vape shop, which has been painted with a graffiti-style mural, covering the original black baked clay surface that he said was deteriorated.

Anderson told the board he had called the Planning Department prior to having the work started and was advised it was permitted to paint, later learning he had to have the board’s OK for any changes to the building, due to its location in the historic district.

Anderson said he had about $1,000 in the painting project, saying, “It looked like crap before. It was bakelite and most of the pieces were missing. I needed to do something affordable.”

Planning Director Bill Cowan said he did not doubt Anderson called and asked beforehand, saying he had had some temporary employees in the office who may have given him the advice it was all right to move forward with the project.

Member Gene Toot said that, while the colorful design does not fit the historic district, “we need to do what we can to encourage business downtown.”

Cowan agreed, saying, “It’s not fitting as it stands, but is there a compromise we can come to?”

Board member Mark Hissom asked what the owners of New Castle School of Trade across the street think of his design, referring to the multi-million renovation project just completed on that building that incorporated historical designs.

Anderson said, “I get people from New Castle across the street. They love it,” pointing out the design is actually reminiscent of the 1970s and that the building “looks better than it did,” although admitting, “It’s a bit loud, I understand that.”

He offered to paint over the side pillars if he could just keep the mural across the top until he can generate more revenue, saying, “That would tone it down some.”

Hissom asked if there had been any complaints about the design, and member Scott Shepherd said he had heard some.

Board members agreed that, while they want to encourage business, they did not want to set a precedent, which could lead to others wanting to something similar to their buildings.

Cowan moved to ask Anderson to restore the facade to its original black color within 60 days, which was approved unanimously, with Toot saying, “Very reluctantly, aye,” and Cowan telling the business owner, “Sorry.”

Mayor Ryan Stovall was absent from the meeting.

Asked after the meeting if Anderson has an appeals option, Cowan said he was uncertain, since no one has ever asked but said he will investigate to find out.

In other matters, the board voted unanimously in favor of a certificate of appropriateness request by Callahan Sign LLC, which proposes a double-sided, illuminated blade sign for the Market Street Lofts at 419 Market St., which are under construction.

jgilbert@mojonews.com

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