A community fundraising initiative has launched to preserve the historic Coachman restaurant sign, a landmark that has illuminated Salt Lake City's State Street and 1300 South for decades. The effort aims to fund the professional removal and storage of the unique neon structure before the end of July, following a donation of the sign by the Sapa Group to the Liberty Wells Community Council.
Celebrating Utah's Sign Heritage
The preservation efforts were highlighted during a community event held July 8 at Manny's Neighborhood Bar. The gathering served as a celebration of Utah's vintage sign heritage and focused on the cultural significance of neon landmarks. Local historian and author Lisa Michele Church participated in the event to discuss the role of signage as art, advertising, and shared community landmarks.
Church, the author of the Vintage Signs of Utah book series, spoke to attendees about how these landmarks function as vital components of a city's memory. Her work features hundreds of neon signs, unique marquees, and hand-painted landmarks that define the visual character of Utah streets.
Preserving a Neon Landmark
The Coachman sign is a unique landmark that was originally designed by the diner's owner. Its distinctive design features a well-known lantern and neon lettering that has become a fixture of the Salt Lake City cityscape. Because the sign has been a part of the local landscape for decades, community members are working to ensure its survival.
According to Preservation Utah, the Sapa Group has donated the sign to the Liberty Wells Community Council. However, the donation comes with a critical deadline; the sign must be professionally removed and placed into storage before the end of July to ensure its protection.
Role of Historic Commissions
The preservation of such landmarks often involves oversight and community engagement through municipal bodies like the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. The commission is responsible for encouraging the proper development and maintenance of historic structures and districts throughout the city.
Tasked with promoting public awareness of historic preservation, the commission reviews requests for the demolition or alteration of buildings within historic districts. The group also reviews designations for local historic districts, thematic designations, and landmark sites to ensure the city's heritage is protected from urban development.
Commission Composition and Duties
The Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission is composed of five to eleven members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. To ensure a broad range of perspectives, appointments are designed to provide balanced representation across the city's geographic, professional, and neighborhood interests.
Commission members are required to have a strong interest in historic preservation and knowledge of the city's heritage. The body is intended to include professionals with expertise in fields such as architecture, archaeology, architectural history, construction, history, public history, folk studies, law, land use law, real estate appraisal, and urban planning.
Governance and Oversight
Current members of the commission include Alan Barnett, Emoli Kearns, Babs DeLay, Carlton Getz, Michael Abrahamson, Taymour Semnani, Rosemary Stum, Adrienne White, Mark McGrath, and Steven Cornell. Members serve four-year terms to guide the city's preservation efforts.
In addition to reviewing demolition requests, the commission provides recommendations on conditional uses and other planning processes within historic districts. The body also makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the development of incentive programs designed to encourage the preservation of Salt Lake City's historic resources.
Community Impact
The preservation of the Coachman sign represents a broader effort to maintain the visual history of Salt Lake City. As community members contribute funds to meet the July deadline, the initiative highlights the intersection of private business history and public heritage conservation.
