City Council
MEETING DATE: 6/22/2015
TITLE:
Title
Citywide Sign Program
End
FROM:
Leisa Lukes, Economic Development Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive presentation and provide direction to staff.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Various public signs are located throughout the city to identify its entryways, direct traffic to points of interest, and provide other key information. The signs exist with limited consistency in design, graphics, and color standards, thus leaving the City with a lack of continuity in its messaging and image. Removing unnecessary signs and standardizing entryway and wayfaring signs is one means of continuing to improve the overall appearance of the city and to provide residents and visitors with readily visible information in a recognizable format.
DISCUSSION:
There are three types of public signs that, due to their quantity and strategic placement throughout the Cathedal City, would provide the most benefit by incorporating a uniform image. These include city entryway identification signs, wayfaring signs (vehicular and pedestrian), and downtown directory signs.
To evaluate potential sign options and priorities, a team comprised of City staff from the Community Development Department and the Office of the City Manager (Communications and Economic Development) was formed. Graphic Solutions, a sign design firm established in 1970 and specializing in identity and brand development, was contracted to assist in this effort.
Two design options are being presented for your consideration and discussion. Option 1 is entitled "Town Square" and reflects the design characteristics of the light fixtures and bollards located within the core of the City's Downtown. The second option, "Palms", is characterized by the sweeping elements and colors reflective of the many palm trees located throughout the city. Both style options are shown on Attachments 1 through 3 to reflect three sign types: (1) City Entryway Signs, (2) Wayfaring Signs, and (3) Downtown Pedestrian Directory Signs. An alternative color option for the Town Square design option is shown on the wayfaring sign attachment (Attachment 2).
The city entryway signs showcase the city name and logo and are proposed for the city's 12 entryway locations, including 2 north of Interstate 10. These are listed on Attachment 4 and are generally in order of traffic counts at the entry locations, from highest to lowest.
The purpose of the wayfaring signs is to provide a directory to key locations throughout the city. Each sign would include a maximum of 3 points of interest. Typical identifiers are shown on Attachment 5 and the proposed locations are shown on Attachment 6. The aluminum panels would be detachable from the poles so that they could be removed and resurfaced with a new vinyl face as updates warrant. The entire pole sign could also be relocated as necessary over the life of the sign.
As with the wayfaring signs but specific to Town Square, the downtown directory signs would serve as an economic catalyst by guiding pedestrian and vehicular traffic to existing businesses and other points of interest. The sign message would be enclosed within a box structure that would be internally lit. The back of the sign box would be metal and allow for changeable messaging.
All of the signs would be coated with an anti-graffiti material and the reflectivity of the sign would be determined based on the sign location and message. All signs would be located within the public right of way.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The approved Capital Improvement Plan includes $250,000 for manufacturing and installation of the citywide entryway signs and wayfinding signs. Final design configuration will determine the total number of signs included within this budgeted amount.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. City Entryway Sign Options
2. City Wayfaring Sign Options
3. Downtown Directional Sign Options
4. Potential Entryway Sign Locations
5. Preliminary Wayfaring Sign Text
6. Potential Wayfaring Sign Locations