Salina Heritage Commission - August 5, 2026

The City of Salina Heritage Commission held a meeting on August 5, 2026, primarily to review a certificate of appropriateness application submitted by the Historic Fox Theater of Salina Foundation, Inc. The application sought approval to replace six second-floor windows on the west-facing Santa Fe Avenue elevation of the Fox Watson/Steel Theater building. Staff and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) concurred that the existing windows were deteriorated beyond repair and supported replacement, provided conditions were met regarding exterior screens, window color, and glass tint. A key discussion point was the exterior window color, with the applicant proposing black aluminum cladding to match lower-level windows, while staff and SHIPO recommended a lighter beige color consistent with the building's historic facade. The commission decided to postpone the decision to a special meeting on August 28, 2026, to allow the applicant to provide color samples and further information to ensure compatibility with historic preservation standards. No motions for approval were made at this meeting, but a motion to postpone was passed. No other procurement or budget matters were discussed.