Salina Design Review Board
Week of August 14, 2026
Design review board approves City Lights Pavilion signage
Proposed archway signage falls well under zoning limits
Archway sign designed to avoid visual clutter
Decorative colored panels to adorn downtown archway
Board member suggests typographical adjustments to pavilion sign
Downtown organizations voice support for new pavilion entrance
New signage caps years of development at downtown lot
Design review board approves City Lights Pavilion signage
SALINA, Kan. - The Salina Design Review Board unanimously approved a certificate of compatibility Thursday for new identification signage on the entrance arch of the City Lights Pavilion at 149 N. Santa Fe Ave. The application, submitted by Megan Schaffer on behalf of Lumineo Signs, will add 16-foot-wide black lettering to the city-owned public parking lot and event space, finalizing a major design element for the downtown venue.
Proposed archway signage falls well under zoning limits
SALINA, Kan. - City staff confirmed Thursday that the newly approved City Lights Pavilion sign easily complies with C4 Central Business District zoning regulations. While the downtown site is allowed up to 72 square feet of signage, the proposed non-illuminated letters will only cover 21.81 square feet, ensuring the entryway is clearly identified without visually dominating the gateway.
Archway sign designed to avoid visual clutter
SALINA, Kan. - By mounting the new City Lights Pavilion lettering directly to the existing 19-foot-tall black metal entrance arch, developers are avoiding the installation of a separate, standalone sign structure. City staff praised the simple, non-illuminated design for reducing visual clutter and making the signage a seamless part of the existing gateway feature rather than a competing element.
Decorative colored panels to adorn downtown archway
SALINA, Kan. - In addition to the black lettering, the City Lights Pavilion entrance arch will feature decorative colored panels that coordinate with the downtown Salina brand. City staff clarified that the panels do not officially count as signage for permitting purposes, though they fell under the board's aesthetic purview and drew praise from members for adding a pop of color to the Santa Fe Avenue streetscape.
Board member suggests typographical adjustments to pavilion sign
SALINA, Kan. - During Thursday's meeting, board member Maggie Gillam requested that the developers finesse the "optical alignment" of the new City Lights Pavilion sign before final installation. Gillam noted that the kerning — specifically the spacing between curved and straight-edged letters, such as the "A" and "V" in "Pavilion" — needed professional tightening to ensure the permanent downtown signage is aesthetically balanced.
Downtown organizations voice support for new pavilion entrance
SALINA, Kan. - Representatives from local community organizations expressed enthusiasm for the new City Lights Pavilion signage during Thursday's meeting. Leslie Bishop of Salina Downtown Inc. attended to voice support for the design, noting the organization "can't wait to start utilizing the space."
New signage caps years of development at downtown lot
SALINA, Kan. - The approval of the City Lights Pavilion sign marks the latest step in transforming a downtown parking lot. The site, located at the southwest corner of North Santa Fe Avenue and Ash Street, was officially named "City Lights Pavilion" by City Commission Resolution 26-8343 in April 2026. The location has seen incremental upgrades over the years, including the relocation of the City Lights stage in 2021 and broader site improvements approved by the board in June 2025.
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