ThisWeek CW 08/16/2012
The city is looking for cost-effective ways to replace directional signs in Canal Winchester’s historic district.
Development Director Lucas Haire said the city staff has completed its evaluation of the directional signs for Canal Winchester’s historic district and downtown and will be seeking proposals from contractors.
The signs, installed in the early 1990s, are deteriorating, he said.
“We’ve taken an inventory and pictures of all of the signs and they are in varying states of disrepair,” Haire told the Old Town committee at its Aug. 6 meeting. “Some are completely cracked or split, others have been shot at and some have been vandalized.”
The city plans to replace 21 signs, all of which are made of engraved wood and bear a graphic of a canal boat. The replacement signs will have a new design and may be made of new material, Haire said.
“We’ll have to give the contractors some direction first on what we want and then they can provide us with options,” Haire said. “I’d like input on the color, size and graphics. We’ll start with our wish list and then work back from there, based on cost.”
Committee member Rick Deeds suggested using the wrought iron “CW” design found on some of the newer city signage.
“I like the wrought iron CW look and feel that it’s more historical looking, and I’d like something low-maintenance,” Deeds said.
Destination: Canal Winchester Executive Director Bruce Jarvis said he hopes if the signs are replaced over a period of time, the initial focus will be on helping non-residents discover Canal Winchester’s downtown.
“I imagine we’ll have to replace these over time due to cost,” Haire said.
The committee members agreed that directing visitors toward downtown is a priority.
In other business, Haire told the Old Town committee the first use of the city’s new ordinance allowing restaurants the option of placing an outdoor seating area within the right of way has been a success.
“The Harvest Moon patio is the first to be completed with right-of-way use and it turned out well and still allows access around it,” Haire said. “But there is a bike rack there in the right of way also that is probably too large for that space, so we need to look at replacing that and maybe considering other places on High Street to place more racks.”
According to Haire, the city is considering using multiple locations with smaller bicycle racks spread throughout the downtown.
The next Old Town Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.