MONROE - The City of Monroe is finding a way to direct visitors to their destinations in town.
The city's Board of Public Works on Monday recommended approving the purchase of about 37 new wayfinding signs at a total cost of about $25,000.
The low quote for the signs comes from TAPCO in Brown Deer, Wis.
City staff has been putting together a comprehensive project of new signage that will help visitors on the road find their way to some of Monroe's most important community and visitors spots, such as the downtown Historic Square, high school, fairgrounds and arts center. The biggest hurdle has been limiting the number of signs on each post, for safety consideration.
The board recommended not more than three or four signs per post on Wisconsin 69 because of traffic speed, but is allowing more on the side street posts.
City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber will meet at least one more time with downtown community organizations, particularly Main Street Monroe Design Committee, for final suggestions on which facilities to include and where the signs can be best located.
The final project will be back at the Board of Public Works in about two weeks for its final approval.
New wayfinding signs in Monroe will be following a color scheme and design to echo the downtown streetscape.
Primary trailblazer signs will be black with white lettering, and topped with the city's official trademark - a red and black shield emblazed with the historic courthouse clock tower in silhouette and the Swiss Cross. The downtown directional signs are brown and gold, also topped with the city trademark.
City Administrator Phil Rath expects to apply the expense for the signs to the downtown tax increment district. The signage was part of the original streetscape design project in 2007. Rath believes the TID will have enough funds available this year to cover the cost.
The city will install the signs and absorb that cost, according to Public Works Director Colin Simpson. Installation is estimated at about $50 per post.
Gerber said the signs will not be ready for installation before Cheese Days 2014, but board members expressed no worry about people finding Cheese Days in town. Gerber expects the signs will be installed in mid-fall.
The city's Board of Public Works on Monday recommended approving the purchase of about 37 new wayfinding signs at a total cost of about $25,000.
The low quote for the signs comes from TAPCO in Brown Deer, Wis.
City staff has been putting together a comprehensive project of new signage that will help visitors on the road find their way to some of Monroe's most important community and visitors spots, such as the downtown Historic Square, high school, fairgrounds and arts center. The biggest hurdle has been limiting the number of signs on each post, for safety consideration.
The board recommended not more than three or four signs per post on Wisconsin 69 because of traffic speed, but is allowing more on the side street posts.
City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber will meet at least one more time with downtown community organizations, particularly Main Street Monroe Design Committee, for final suggestions on which facilities to include and where the signs can be best located.
The final project will be back at the Board of Public Works in about two weeks for its final approval.
New wayfinding signs in Monroe will be following a color scheme and design to echo the downtown streetscape.
Primary trailblazer signs will be black with white lettering, and topped with the city's official trademark - a red and black shield emblazed with the historic courthouse clock tower in silhouette and the Swiss Cross. The downtown directional signs are brown and gold, also topped with the city trademark.
City Administrator Phil Rath expects to apply the expense for the signs to the downtown tax increment district. The signage was part of the original streetscape design project in 2007. Rath believes the TID will have enough funds available this year to cover the cost.
The city will install the signs and absorb that cost, according to Public Works Director Colin Simpson. Installation is estimated at about $50 per post.
Gerber said the signs will not be ready for installation before Cheese Days 2014, but board members expressed no worry about people finding Cheese Days in town. Gerber expects the signs will be installed in mid-fall.