Politics & Government

Architecture Board Signs Off on Karate Sign Downtown

Business planning to open on West College Avenue, facade changes approved

The Kent Architectural Review Board approved plans for new signs on a bare building on West College Avenue in downtown Kent, but not without encouraging more than just a sign.

The architecture board gave the OK to plans for a sign advertising a Karate dojo at 122 W. College Ave. Tuesday. The sign will simply say "Karate" in red, all-capital letters.

The board approved the new sign with the condition that when the exterior of the building is redesigned that a sign update be included as part of that plan.

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"Our hopes are we're going to see something better, or different, or revised somewhere down the line," board chairperson Glenn Dryer said.

Board member Alan Orashan encouraged the property owner to take advantage of two facade renovation grant programs available, on through the city and one through Ron Burbick's foundation, to freshen up the building's exterior.

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Burbick's facade grant program provides up to $5,000 for facade improvements downtown.

"I've used that to the tune of $5,000 before and it was really helpful," Orashan said.

The business must gain approval to open in the space from the Kent Board of Zoning Appeals.


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