Council reviewed options ranging in price from $7,000 to around $35,000 during a May work session.
“Everybody driving into our town will see this. This is our stamp, our autograph,” Council President Joe Gibson said of whatever entrance sign the council decides to pursue.
Eric Mack, deputy director for municipal services, said the entrance sign project began a few years ago when the city America in Bloom committee expressed interest in replacing the entrance sign on Ohio 571 (Main Street) on the east end of town.
An architect submitted possible designs for entrance signs, but the project was not pursued further, Mack said.
The designs were dusted off and other options, including some from sign companies, looked into recently at the request of City Manager Tim Eggleston.
Mack said entrance signs including brick structures came with prices of up to $35,000, while another with faux brick was around $7,000 to design, produce and install.
He said city staff wanted input from Council before taking any other steps on a possible project.
Council member Katelyn Berbach said she wasn’t a fan of entrance signs. She suggested the city, instead, consider spending $35,000 to help beautify the Interstate 75 interchange at West Main Street.
The council also discussed the metal welcome signs near city entrances with logos of various organizations. That discussion was whether the signs should remain and who would be responsible for updating them.
Councilman John Kessler said he would like to see the organizational sign on Ohio 571 moved further down the road from an entrance sign to avoid clutter.
Gibson asked if groups with signs on the organizations sign had been approached about their signs, the structures’ possible removal or any interest in updating/replacing those signs in deteriorating condition. Council also asked who actually owns organization signs, whether the city or a group such as the chamber of commerce.
Council asked for more information and options for both the entrance signs and the organization signs before making any decisions.
About the Author