A distinguishing characteristic of downtown Zanesville's upper facades is the decorative treatments found at or near the roofline. One of these treatments is wood or metal cornices. These type of cornices are traditionally painted for maintenance reasons and to provide a finisher "crown" to the upper facade.
Another decorative treatment is brick or stone parapets. A parapet is the portion of the upper wall that rises above the roofline. It often is the decorative cap to the building. Some downtown buildings display the building's name and date in the parapet area.
Some downtown buildings, particularly non-retail structures such as the Muskingum County Courthouse and the Old Post Office, make use of decorative features that represent a particular architectural style. In these buildings, the upper facades display columns, pilasters, balconies, and stylized materials that are not found on other downtown buildings.
(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)