The Hermiston City Council got an in-depth look at plans for a wayfinding system during a work session Monday night.
Glen Swantak of Merje Design presented a slide show of a signage system that is designed to be both a way to direct people to locations in town as well as marketing the city’s brand.
The system, which is about 90 percent designed at this point, could consist of signs, banners and kiosks. Swantak said a key feature of the system will be gateway signs at the city’s entry points.
“We’re trying to identify all the entry points into the city and create a memorable gateway so that it leaves a perfect first impression,” said Swantak.
Another feature of the system will be signs promoting downtown.
“Strategically, we’re trying to design a menu of signs that identify downtown,” he said. “We really want to promote downtown.”
Directional signs will point visitors to places such as the chamber of commerce, city parks, EOTEC, BMCC and other areas of interest. The signs will share common design elements, said Swantak.
“We want to create a consistent system that directs to all of your assets in the community,” he said.
Public parking signs will be in integral part of the system. Currently, the city has open lots with no indication whether they are public or private.
Councilor Roy Barron wanted to make sure the city’s “inclusive community” sign on the east entrance of Hermiston will be kept as part of the system.
“That sign means a lot to me when I see it coming into town,” he said. City Planner Clint Spencer said it needs to be included.
Barron also suggested some of the signs be in Spanish, as well.
City Manager Byron Smith said once the plan is finalized and approved by the council, it will then be implemented in stages.
“We don’t have the budget to do it all at once,” he said. Spencer said there is money in the Urban Renewal budget for public parking signs and they could be put in during the construction of the new city hall.
Spencer said the final plan will be up for adoption before the council in a month or two.
They could follow the example set by the City of Pendleton and quit enforcing the parking ordinance.
So, the Hermiston city council has hired this firm – all the way from Pennsylvania – to design this plan for us? Do we owe them money for the work they’ve already done and invested? I’m sure their credentials are impeccable! But I must ask; how pricey are they compared to more local design firms from the PNW? Has the council also considered reaching out to local artists from our community who could offer help, either advisory in nature or doing the designs themselves like we did with our adopted city logo design by Brooke Sather?
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