In Effort to Remind Folks Rodeo Bar and Grill's Still There, Adolphus Needs a Nice New Sign

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Nov. 8 2011 at 9:01 AM

Commerce and Akard as it appeared in the 1920s, left, and in the 1940s and '50s

Speaking of big, bright signs ...

Today the Landmark Commission will take a long, hard look at a proposal from the Adolphus Hotel, which is concerned that the Rodeo Bar & Grill is languishing at the corner of Commerce and Akard due to the absence of significant signage. There's also one more major problem, per Quimby McCoy: "The very low light levels make the street appear empty and dangerous." Which is why, among other things, the hotel wants to attach a sign to the hotel's exterior more or less over the eatery's front door.

After all, says the proposal, it's been done before: The Adolphus has had several signs affixed to its facade over the years, including the old Walgreens that once occupied the Rodeo Bar space. Hence the myriad old, seldom-seen photos contained in today's briefing -- which, let's face it, is why I posted this item in the first place.

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LaceyB

They offered a SniqueAway coupon/groupon for the Adolphus. Not bad, all said. But I read that there's a new music editor at the observer. What's the female form of "Robert Wilonsky"? Better not take over "FYWLP". That's ours.

J. Erik Jonsson

Landmark can't regulate health and safety signage. I would propose:

"WARNING! Rodeo Bar & Grill Inside"

Bjohnston

What's with that bridge across Commerce. Looks like it might connect the Adolphus and Baker hotels?

williamedia

I believe that's what we would call a "pedestrian bridge" probably built to keep traffic moving on commerce while allowing people to cross on foot overhead. So Dallas has been traffic focused for decades it appears.

They funniest part is that there almost no people driving in that picture so you have to wonder when was it taken and why would they build such a bridge for what appears to be a non-problem. I guess this was taken on a Sunday morning so traffic was not an issue.

Montemalone

Tis a sign of the times.

Haretip

I heard the other day that Times Square has minimum signage requirements. Not a bad thing for downtown, I believe. Liven up the place.

Downtown_worker

Actually, I think the video boards that were installed last year (or whenever that was) have done a good job of illuminating their immediate surroundings. Maybe there should be more of those, and it looks like more are in the works.

Cue video of Oprah screaming "and YOU get a sign, and YOU get a sign, and YOU get a sign...."

Chris Danger

Driving downtown at night, I have to agree, everything looks to recessed when it comes to lights. I've always wondered why the Adolphus has never had a large sign in the modern era..