HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Elgin Image Advisory Commission Minutes 6-23(3)
J:\Projects\Alpha\Elgin, City of\Entry Way Signage\02 Communications\sum 20140623 kickoff.docx
Meeting Summary
Date: June 23, 2014
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Elgin City Hall
Attendees: City of Elgin Representatives (CE)
Image Advisory Commission Members (IAC)
Tim King, Hitchcock Design Group (HDG)
RE: City of Elgin
Entry Way Signage Schematic Design
Purpose of Meeting: Project Kick-off Meeting
Items Discussed:
A. Background
1. Project purpose
a. IAC members explained that existing City Entry Way signs are old, inconsistent
and no longer represent a positive image of the community. The IAC desires to
have consistent Entry Way Signs designed that accurately represent the image
of the community.
2. Goals and objectives
a. Signs to be unique to Elgin
b. Signs to identify Elgin City limits on major corridors leading into the City (5
locations identified)
c. Signs placed to help identify businesses along corridors as within the City
3. Scope of work and schedule
a. HDG provided a copy of the Scope of Services that was included in the Proposal
submittal along with a Schedule Outline. Generally, the Preliminary Design will
be completed within a 2 month period and design approval is anticipated in the
fall of 2014.
b. Following completion of the Preliminary Design phase, the City can determine
the necessary process to bid and construct the signs. Bidding is anticipated in
January, February 2015 with construction occurring in spring of 2015.
Construction is anticipated to be complete within 2 months.
4. Preliminary budget
a. The City has $100,000 budgeted to construct 5 signs. Landscape and other
required site work is above and beyond the $100,000 budget.
B. Existing Conditions
1. Project sign locations
a. The IAC has identified 5 specific sign locations:
i. Route 20 and Shales Parkway
ii. Route 20 and Route 31
iii. Route 20 and Randall Road
iv. I90 and Route 31
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v. I90 and Randall Road
b. HDG will review each area to determine the specific sign placement and
conditions at each location
2. Existing City brand and signs
a. IAC members do not like the City logo, specifically the tag line “City in the
Suburbs” and the tower building image since it is in disrepair and no longer
represents the desired image of the City. However, there are no plans to revisit
the City logo. For this reason the IAC does not want to include the City logo on
the gateway signs.
b. The IAC directed HDG to use simple text, no logo, and quality materials for the
gateway signs.
c. The IAC suggested that the existing brick sign at Route 25 and I90 is a good
example.
3. Property ownership and Jurisdictional requirements
a. IAC indicated that all locations are regulated by either IDOT or KDOT. HDG will
review the property ownership at each location and summarize the
jurisdictional requirements that will apply to the signage design.
b. HDG suggested that if possible, private easements beyond the right-of-way
might be an option to develop more creative design solutions.
C. Stakeholder Interests and Involvement
1. IAC indicated that they will be the only group involved in the development of the
gateway signage design. Once a preferred design is determined, the
recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval. IAC indicated
that they will review design options with City Council members informally prior to
the final presentation to get their input.
2. IAC indicated that it is not necessary to include the public in the design process.
3. HDG suggested that it is advisable to review the recommendations with IDOT and
KDOT representatives to be sure that they meet permitting requirements.
D. Design Program
1. IAC members offered the following suggestions related to the design of the signs:
a. Some people relate the City image to the Casino – the City should not be tied
too closely to the Casino
b. The river is the most recognizable City component
c. City history is important but not too many landmarks left to play off
d. City extends out to Randall Road but the downtown is still the cultural center of
the community
e. Multiculturalism is a recognizable part of the community
f. Gateway signs should be simple and should stay away from specific wayfinding-
that can be done on separate stand-alone wayfinding signs
g. No logo, no motto, simple font, quality materials, maybe include date
established
h. Technology and the arts have a place in the community
i. Signs must be unique to Elgin
j. Important to identify where the City starts and stops; could be challenging due
to irregular City limits and potential future annexation
2. HDG will prepare a written design program summarizing the relevant items that will
be considered as part of the signage design.
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E. Next Steps
1. HDG will attend the next IAC meeting on July 28th at 7:00 PM to discuss the results of
the Research, Analysis and Programming phase, and to present preliminary
schematic concepts for discussion.
cc: Attendees
Rick Hitchcock, Mark Underwood, HDG