The word “HOME” from the historic “Home of Dan River Fabrics” sign that once stood atop the White Mill will come back to the River District, at least temporarily.
Temporary placement of the letters at the former Downtowner site at 500 Main St. cleared its final hurdle on Thursday when the River District Design Commission voted to issue a certificate of appropriateness.
Earlier this week, the Industrial Development Authority, which owns the site, gave its permission for the letters to light up the corner of Main and Union streets. The letters, which measure slightly less than 12 feet in height, will be attached to the wall at the back of the lot. New, red neon tubes will be installed on the letters, which will face Main Street, so they will glow at night.
The sign first will be on display from Dec. 12-27 as part of the second annual Community Holiday Light Show at Ballou Park. Following the event, the letters will move to the former Downtowner lot for six months.
A coalition that includes the Danville Historical Society, the Danville Regional Foundation’s History United initiative and city leaders is working to find new homes for all of the letters from the sign by loaning them out to businesses, schools and other properties. The historical society owns the letters.
In other action Thursday, the commission approved signage requests for 311 Court St., 444 Wilson St. and 310-312 Main St. The commission also approved replacement of existing awnings at 310-312 Main St.