In the wake of the news that the landmark Queen Park Cinema sign on South Boulevard had been taken down, lots of readers have expressed hopes that the sign can be saved. I heard some Facebook rumors that the sign had been trashed, but apparently that's not true.
The sign came down Wednesday to make way for a new office and residential development Pappas Properties is building there. Peter Pappas told me his folks tried to incorporate the sign into the new project, but it proved too huge and costly to renovate.
Chad Drake, a division manager with D.H. Griffin Construction Co., said the firm plans to turn the massive base of the sign into scrap steel, but the sign itself (the part that sat up top with the giant "QP") remains intact. "The sign's still together. It hasn't been destroyed," he said. "More than likely we'll turn it back over to the owner, which would be Pappas."
If that happens, Pappas Properties might be hearing from folks who want to buy it. One effort on crowdfunding site Indiegogo hopes to raise $100,000, but had reached only $450 Thursday afternoon.
Got an opinion on what should happen with the sign? Take our poll.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Update on South Boulevard's Queen Park Cinema sign
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11 comments:
It should have never been taken down in the first place! Charlotte needs to learn to embrace it's history instead of destroying it.
Buildings and signs are markers of history. They can often be nice to have as visual reminders of history. But they're not history.
History is in recorded events, narratives both spoken and written, memories of the past and understanding how all of that shapes and guides today and tomorrow.
Charlotte's essential history is the story of the determined little colonial village that pulled itself up by its bootstraps, again and again and reinvented itself, again and again. In other words, a story of constant change.
So we're not a museum of markers of the past. Not that I'd mind so much if we had a bit more texture of old blended with the new but lacking that doesn't mean we don't have history.
I'd much rather be a city that races into the future, even if that means we lose a few markers along the way.
I support preserving history as much as the next girl but that sign is ugly.
I definitely have to agree with Anonymous #1.
It might not have been the most attractive sign but that's completely beside the point.
The gentrification of South Blvd is obliterating the landscape.
I loved catching site of that QP sign and reminiscing about midnight movies on my daily drive.
The "QP" isn't the sign. The tower is the sign. The "QP" was added in 1980 when the site became a multi-plex cinema. It's the tower that's not replaceable--anybody can get a sign company to make a plastic panel with the letters Q and P on it. Shame on Pappas for destroying another part of our city's history.
Charlotte needs to stop destroying these beautiful old buildings and embrace its history. Developers have absolutely ruined this city but cramming to much in to one spot and paving over every square inch of green or wooded area. Especially in South Charlotte. Areas like Ballantyne have made a once great and quiet area to live congested, polluted, and unbearable. Ruined that end of town for its native residents just for a quick buck and some tax revenue. They have slowly killed Charlotte's charm and have turned us in to just another crowded city.
Heres a novel idea. Call the development Queen Park. Problem solved. Built-in sign and built-in Charlotte cred. Of course Pappas isn't known for being a smart developer, unless you count bilking taxpayers to pay for his projects smart.
How about a follow up story about how much money he's getting this time? More or less than Metropolitan?
I liked that sign. It reminded me of how long I too have been around but when it's too costly to paint and repair, it's a bit of old trivia. I'm betting there are likely other remnants of bygone glory. Don't keep it around to redeem narcistic nihilism, kiddo. It looked junky.
The sign was ugly then and its ugly today. I bet it wasnt the cost of restoring the sign that kept Pappas from incorporating it into the new development. Where do you blend ugly into?
Just realized the sign is missing :( I'm really hating investors/developers today. They are ruining everything. I'm also pissed at Charlotte zoning rules.
Very thoughtfuul blog
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