The historic Nile Theater south of Main Street and west of Center Street in downtown Mesa is getting a new marquee that is to feature engraved Egyptian hieroglyphics plus the image of King Tut, hearkening back to its look when it opened in 1924.
The Mesa Board of Adjustment voted 6-0 Aug. 7 as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve a special-use permit for a comprehensive sign plan in the downtown core with a downtown events overlay and a historic landmark overlay district. Vice Chair Shelly Allen was absent.
The project site was designated a historic landmark with the approval by Mesa City Council in 2023.
Three wall signs are to be placed on Main Street and three on the Main Street alley where city code would only allow one sign on each of the frontages, Staff Planner Emily Johnson said at a study session prior to the meeting.
“They are also proposing an increase in wall sign area as well as wall sign feet. Five window signs are proposed where code would only permit one. The only new sign that is proposed is the marquee sign, which would replace that existing awning,” she said. “Where the applicant is seeking a deviation is with the length of the sign that is proposed at 76% of the length of the marquee where the code would only permit 60%.”
Darshan Dawson of Arizona Commercial Signs is the applicant. CK Properties LLC is the owner.
The planned marquee contains specifications in a design comparable to the 1924 vintage marquee that will replace an existing awning on the north elevation. In a nod to the original Egyptian-themed Nile Theater, the marquee sign faces will feature engraved Egyptian hieroglyphics plus the image of King Tut, according to a written project narrative from Arizona Commercial Signs.
An electronic message display on the marquee will not often illuminate between 11 p.m. and sunrise, it states.
“(T)he business owner seeks to recognize, retain and preserve the unique architectural style and vintage character of the building and its locally kilned brick facade. Approval of the distinctive marquee will bring to fruition the vision of the building very much as it looked in the 1920s, clearly setting it apart as an outstanding variation from the conventional surrounding development adding historic interest to the area,” the narrative states.
The seven-member Board of Adjustment conducts public meetings to hear and decide requests for variances, special-use permits and interpretations of the city of Mesa zoning ordinance and sign code. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years, according to the city’s website.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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