Answer Man: Reader says ugly sign on Republic drives him nuts

Answer Man: I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it seems irresponsible to leave an old, ugly sign up on the north side of Republic Road, east of National Avenue. It's still standing after a multi-million-dollar project widened Republic Road. Who is the property owner and why did he or she choose to leave this ugly thing up? — Bruce Winston

Yes, Bruce, the sign has seen better days. But is it ugly?

Who am I to say?

I'm The Answer Man, that's who!

It is very ugly.

It's rusted out; an electrical box is open; the top pane is missing; and the bottom pane advertises a business — furniture stripping — that vamoosed in 2003.

I'd venture to say that even if you were in dire need of having your furniture stripped, you would not stop based on the condition of this sign.

The shopping center, which currently has 20 tenants, is owned by JOT Properties. The "J" stands for Joni — as in Joni Watkins, who works next to the shopping center at Preferred Title of Missouri. She is the president of the title company.

Joni tells me that, first of all, the old sign did not come down during the widening of Republic Road because the sign was not in the road's right-of-way. The construction project was finished in July.

Secondly, she will not take the sign down because if she does, she runs the risk of not getting a city permit to put up a new one.

This happens throughout the city. In November, I wrote about a Shoney's sign that was still standing long after the accompanying Shoney's restaurant closed.

Developers know it's best to let old signs stand untouched, says Chris Straw, director of building development services for the City of Springfield. I spoke to him in November.

If they take them down, they might not be able to replace them.

"If the sign is taken down, then you have to start all over again with new permits and new everything," Straw says. "And those signs are a substantial investment."

I ask Joni if she has immediate plans for the sign that Bruce has grown to hate.

She does not.

Keep those questions coming. Send them to The Answer Man at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO 65806.