In 2019, the CRA plan was amended and identified gateway signage as an important component to improving community character and entrance to downtown. In 2020, the Community Redevelopment Board (CRB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board recommended approval of the CRA budget to solicit a professional service to assist with developing a conceptual design for gateway and district monument signage. The existing monument signage on NE and SE Federal Highway and S Kanner Highway at the major entry points are under-scaled, providing little opportunity to attract passerby and presenting a sense of arrival into the City, Downtown or Special Districts.
An on-site review of existing conditions of narrow medians and limited rights-of-ways challenges to developing extensive gateway and district signage. Three configurations of signage are proposed including horizontal gateway monument at major entry points replacing the existing gateway signage, wider vertical “Downtown Stuart” signage at the downtown entry points on major roadways, and narrow vertical “district” signage within a district and where space is limited.
Two signage family has been developed that includes both gateway and district signage. Option #1 represents the City’s sailfish logo in abstract art and Option #2 represents the wave which symbolizes the St Lucie River. Proposed two options were presented to Downtown Business Association, “The Creek” A&E District Board, and MainStreet. The most favorable option of all the boards was Option #2. Also, staff created a poll to gather feedback and choices of the option from the community. The poll received 505 responses. The poll results conclude that 66% of the respondents like Option #2, 19% like Option #1 and only 15% did not like either option.
Details about the proposed signage location, material, costs, and timeline will be presented at the meeting.