Recordpub.com - Ravenna signs stir problems Walgreens, CVS go digital

By Colin McEwen
Record-Courier staff writer
One sign can cause a lot of problems.
The sign scheduled to be erected at the end of the parking lot at the incoming Walgreens Drug Store on East Main Street in Ravenna has some residents pushing away from a sign of the times "in the historic district.
The problem, residents say, is the digital sign breaks zoning code. They worry that if one business is allowed to bend the rules, other businesses will follow suit.
The Historic Design Review Committee allowed the sign at Walgreens in a 7-0 vote. When approached by CVS to have a similar sign, the committee passed the measure for that company's sign 4-3.
Lou Dudek is one of the residents upset with the new incoming signs in the historic neighborhood.
"I guess the people in the committee think the sign is OK," he said. "I don't think this is OK."
Dudek took his complaint to the city and found that CVS also was approved after they requested they be allowed to have a similar sign.
"There's just too much inconsistency," he said. "I don't understand " my personal feeling " it's an inappropriate sign to have in the this district."
The city's codified ordinance regarding city signage states that signs in the historic district "must be visually compatible."
The code also states the purpose of the design review commission is to "preserve the dignity and architectural significance of the Design Review District, preserve its scenic and natural beauty, and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community for its residents."
Mayor Kevin Poland said the sign will stand on a brick structure consistent with the architecture of the building and does not believe it breaks the code.
"My understanding to the objection to the sign is the digital aspect, which is not historical," he said. "The commitment that was given is that it would be a continuous scroll, changing every few minutes."
Dudek said he is not convinced the sign meets any of the requirements. He said he was a member of the Historic Design Review Committee nine years ago, and he would not have allowed the Walgreens sign.
"I'm a citizen and I expect the city to uphold its rules and regulations like everybody else does," he said. "How are they going to say no to everyone who is now going to want one? It's not fair to the other merchants who follow the guidelines."

33.	Posted by herk574816 June 2, 2008
	I suppose that if enough people believe that Ravenna is a sh**hole, then it is. But that's their fault. I grew up in Ravenna, and it was a charming town. Most of the buildings and houses are still there, if a little more run down. A lot of the trees were taken out by an idiot government. The industry is gone, and it's not coming back. The downtown is gone, and it's not coming back either. But people can build on what they have instead of grousing about it. It could be a lovely bedroom community. It could have small, specialized industries. I think even the downtown could be made more prosperous, though not the way it was before the malls and big-box stores came along. I'm not an urban planner, but I know a decent looking town when I see it. Ravennans should elect some people with some vision, who can get the town moving again.

32.	Posted by tellnitlikeitis June 2, 2008
	ok, just to clarify Ravenna is full of "trash"!! yes, meaning people and of course actual trash. And it doesn't matter where the welfare office is located, Ravenna would still be the "welfare capitol" due to the highest per capita number of recipients. Ravenna has become such an embarrasment. And to you that have so much "pride" in Ravennna, get a clue! And what is historical about this s*** hole? And to anyone that found this post offensive.....MOVE!!

30.	Posted by hill5 June 1, 2008
	Ok, First...Mouseboys mom, if you thought I meant that the people in Ravenna are trash by saying it was full of trash, I'm sorry but that is in no way at all what I meant. I was not even referring to the people of Ravenna at all, and if that is what some of you thought, than I do appologize. I have family from Ravenna, so I do know there are a lot of good people there. Not just my family of course. But driving down 59, it looks like a worn down, trashy town. The one place that stands out and looks great is the court house. To me, in no way does Ravenna look like a Historical place. I believe it needs a lot of cleaning up, and some new businesses. Maybe I should of worded my original comment a little better, so I do appologize if the people of Ravenna thought I was calling them trash. Doublekwillhaulitaway: Probably not

28.	Posted by twinkleberry99 May 30, 2008
	Hello Hometown Ravenna. Its been 8 years since I been home. No matter whats going on, new signs, run down storefronts, its still home to me. All I read was how Ravenna is a dump, Welfare City, well, I never looked at it that way. I never knew. I know jobs are scarce, but so are they where I am now, too. And when jobs are scarce, so are funds. And without funds, those worn down storefronts aren't going to get any help. Too many people today are not making ends meet. If you have a job making more than minimum wage, you'd better count your blessings. I would love to come home, stroll down main street, reminescing of days gone by, like old Skorman's, or the BenFranklin Store. All our good companies have moved across the seas, our gas prices are out of control, our economy is bellying up, are you people hiding under the blankets and pretending these things aren't going on? Ravenna isn't the only little place that is feeling bad times, but hold on, its only going to get worse, and I'll be seeing you in the soup kitchen soon! Ravenna is still home to me, no matter what.

26.	Posted by mouseboysmom3 May 30, 2008
	Hill5, Actually what you said was it is full of trash and growing up, you knew it as the Welfare Capitol. The people who live in Ravenna, and do what they can in spite of all the negatives probably take offense to those comments. You are of course entitled to your opinion, however, when it is offensive to others, you will get negative responses. I feel Ravenna gets a bad rap because it does have a diverse group of people living here. It is the County seat, its where the majority of services are, the courthouse. There are many things that contribute to the reputation. I just think once a town has a bad rap, its hard to shake it when things do improve. I agree, I do not think the people making decisions for the town are doing the best job. There does need to be change, but there are a lot of good things happening, and people who work hard to make positive changes here. To be fair, every town in Portage county could stand to make improvements to their town as well. Ravenna just stands out because it is the center of the county. I live in Ravenna township and would love to see the community pull together to make improvements and show more pride in the city, but every town has positives and negatives. As far as the signs, I think they are unattractive, and don't really boost business that much. I do believe there is an inconsistency with decisions made in the city. It sends mixed messages.

25.	Posted by fmta-franklin May 30, 2008
	It's true - the main drag looks like a dump. Ravenna needs to lose the used appliance store, the bars, the dumpy chinese joint, the corn-hole store that is never open, the empty grocery store, the empty office fronts, and sorry little wanna-be stores that won't be in business this time next year. But also remember you've got the library, the church, Guido's - there are a few places that really stand out from the rest of the dregs. We need to concentrate on the dumps and then we can worry about the CVS sign.