Commission approves Micheaux Grill sign and awning with staff conditions

The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign and awning for Micheaux Grill at the 910/912 Franklin Street address on Feb. 2, with conditions for final staff review.

Applicant Abdul Ibrahim described a 17-foot awning and a 121-inch-wide metal sign with acrylic push-through letters that will be backlit by LED strips. Staff recommended approval of the awning and approval of the sign with conditions: reduce or eliminate the sign backing to emphasize lettering, confirm the lighting conforms to municipal sign guidelines and submit lighting cut sheets for staff review.

Commissioners discussed technical details (awning projection, letter depth and backlighting) and noted the sign is contained in a metal box/cabinet. The commission voted to approve COA 2026-003 with the listed staff conditions. Abdul said he was not fully prepared to answer all technical sign questions at the meeting and will provide additional materials as requested.

Separately, the commission confirmed a staff-approved maintenance COA for a reroof at 621 Pine Street during the meeting.