HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2013 Item B1, GrigsbyRECEIVED
JUN 0 7 2013
councit MCMORAn '
June 3, 2013 AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
TO: City Council Det'W1 0 1 I—S Item#�. E f
FROM: Daryl Grigsby, Public Works Director
VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager
SUBJECT: Wayfinding Program Status
During the April 91" Major City Goal review the City Council asked for a status report on the
existing Wayfinding project. The following provides an update on the current status of the
program as well as some information about what is ahead.
Background
The City-wide Wayfinding Program provides a uniform approach to a range of monuments,
directional signs, trail markers, building signs, and other various city identifiers. The City-wide
program is consistent with national models whereby signage directs visitors and residents to
local assets and destinations. The two primary elements of the City's program are directional
signs and entry monument signs. The two projects are being handled and funded very differently.
The entry monument project, scheduled for construction at Highway 1 and Highland Drive, is
grant funded and is to be administered and constructed by the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments along with monuments for other agencies in the same grant program. At this time,
the City has not received confirmation of a construction start date. The directional sign project is
supported by the Promotional Coordinating Committee and is being managed by City staff.
Completed Actions to date
The Wayfinding Program was developed with the assistance of RRM Design and Rademaker
Design after completion of an inventory of current City signage. The directional signs and
monuments were reviewed by the Promotional Coordination Committee, Cultural Heritage
Committee, Architectural Review Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission.
On October 18, 2011, the City Council approved the Wayfinding Program, including conceptual
designs for the directional signs, implementation plan for installation of both vehicular and
pedestrian signs, and future development of conceptual designs for the remaining range of signs
and monuments identified in the program. Orientation maps were identified at that time as a vital
component of the overall program to work in conjunction with the other signage. These are
planned as a future element, needing design and funding. The Program is funded with $140,000
as recommended by the Promotional Coordination Committee, $65,000 from the General Fund
and $75,000 from the Promotional Coordinating Committee's general fund allocation. Of this
funding, $50,000 has been committed to the design efforts, leaving $90,000 to support
installations.
Wayfinding Sign Program Update Page 2
A City-wide destination list was developed with input from Chamber of Commerce staff and the
Promotional Coordinating Committee. In addition, sign placement locations for the highest
priority destinations have been developed by staff and the consultant. High priority destinations
include the Downtown, downtown parking structures, the Mission, Cal Poly/PAC, Airport and
the Amtrak Station. These highest priority signs are located on the major entry points/arterials
used by tourists and visitors.
Allowable sign information is regulated by the Manual of Urban Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD). In addition, the number of destinations on a sign is limited, and signs are intended for
civic, cultural, visitor, recreational and other destinations within the community, excluding for-
profit businesses. The only destinations outside the City limits are significant regional locations
such as Cal Poly, the airport, and the wine region.
The font type driving test was completed in January 2013. The driving test was required as the
City intends to use a font different from what is specified by Caltrans standards. Signs with just
text (not final sign design) were temporarily installed and volunteers were used to determine if
the text was legible and could be followed to take a driver to an unfamiliar destination. Staff also
completed the Pedestrian sign legibility test in April 2013. This test was to ensure the signs were
visible to pedestrians walking at a normal pace from a reasonable distance. These preliminary
sign tests were successful.
The plan for the prototype signs (9 total) is complete, including their location and text. These
prototype signs include at least one of each style of vehicular and pedestrian sign. The prototypes
will be installed so that users, including residents and decision -makers, can review the overall
look and quality of the signs. A review period of two months will allow consideration of input on
the quality and placement of the signage. If the prototype signs prove successful, they will
remain in place to be supplemented by additional signs at other locations. Additionally, working
with Mr. Rademaker, the prototype signs will include a sample of a less costly option of a
vehicle sign. If the lower cost sign is functional, the resulting cost savings could increase the
total number of future signs that can be installed using currently budgeted funding. Exhibits A
and B show the sign graphics and their locations for the prototype signs.
Next Steps
The designer has just finished preparing the final design details of the prototype signs for the
sign fabricator. The three month fabrication stage will start in June. The signs will be installed
upon receipt from the fabricator. A Press Release will be issued when the prototype signs go up
to notify every one of the installation and the purpose. Feedback will be collected during the first
two months of sign installation and use.
If the prototype signs are well received, the project will move forward, including a request for
Council action to approve the final sign text and placement, and for approval of advertising for
bids. Exhibit C shows the citywide destination list developed to guide the sign text and locations
of the directional signs. Exhibit D shows the proposed locations for 42 signs; the 32 highest
priority vehicular signs and the 10 highest priority downtown pedestrian signs.
Wayfinding Sign Program Update Page 3
Funding
There is approximately $90,000 currently available to support installation of the 9 prototype
signs and those to be included in the first installation project. It is anticipated that approximately
27 of the 42 signs can be fabricated and installed with this current budget. This will leave
approximately 15 high priority signs that will be installed in future phases as budget becomes
available.
Upcoming Financial Plan Project
The project work proposed as part of the 2013-15 Financial Plan includes $65,000 for
Wayfinding ($40,000 in 2013-14 and $25,000 in 2014-15). This provides first-year funding for
the development of downtown orientation maps (you -are -here,) identified as a key component of
the program in the October 18, 2011 approval, and second -year funding for installation of the
maps and/or more directional sign installations. These additional signs, estimated at seven,
would be added to the approximately 27 signs to be installed as described above. Once these
initial two groups of directional signs are installed, the PCC and City staff will assess the
program and determine if the goals have been achieved or if additional signage is necessary.
Summary
Existing Budget ($140,000)
1. Existing Logo Inventory
Complete
2. Sign Family Design
Complete
3. Destination List
Complete
4. Council & Committee
Program Approval
Complete
5. Font Test
Complete
6. Pedestrian Readability Test
Complete
7. Notification of Test Sign
Installation
Council & Public
August 2013
8. Pedestrian Test Signs
2 double sided signs
August 2013
9. Vehicular Test Signs
7 signs
August 2013
10. Sign Text Approval
Council
November 2013
11. Authorization for
Construction
Council
May 2014
12. Pedestrian Signs
5 double sided signs
January 2014
13. Vehicular Signs
13 signs
January 2014
14. Monument Sign
1 Entry @ Highland / HwyI
Managed by SLOCOG
2013-15 Proposed Budget ($65,000)
15. Orientation Sign
Design only
Aug 2014 (Yr 1 Funding)
16. Pedestrian Signs
2 double_ sided signs
Aug 2014 (Yr 2 Funding)
17. Vehicular Signs
5 signs
Aug 2014 (Yr 2 Funding)
Wayfinding Sign Program Update Page 4
Staff will work through final priorities for the project once acceptance testing is complete, so
actual numbers of pedestrian versus vehicular signs may change.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A
Test Signs — Appearance
Exhibit B
Test Signs — Location
Exhibit C
City-wide Destination List
Exhibit D
1 st priorty Locations
CC: PCC
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CITY WAYFINDING PROGRAM
Destination List
for
City-wide Vehicular and Downtown Pedestrian Signs
r1T91T.VM
Destination Guidelines:
Exhibit C
I . Per federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, (MUTCD) community wayfinding is
intended for Civic, Cultural, Visitor, Recreational and other destinations within a community.
2. Destinations should target Tourists and Visitors not familiar with our town.
3. Per MUTCD, vehicle signs should only have 3 destinations per sign.
4. Outlying sign descriptions can be general and then become more descriptive as you approach
the destination. Example: Sports Fields vs. Damon Garcia Sports Field
5. Per MUTCD, destinations are within SLO community only — not intended for outside of our
community unless significant destination is contiguous to City such as the County Airport or
Cal Poly.
6. Destinations may include public facilities and non -profits such as museums, performing art
center but should not direct visitors to individual "for profit" businesses.
Destinations for Vehicular Signs:
• "Parking" (as you approach the downtown - direct to structures only)
• "Downtown"
• "Mission/Mission Plaza"
• "Museums/Cultural Venues"
• "Airport"
• "Train Station"
• "Railroad Museum"
• "Railroad Historic District" (only if room on a sign)
• "Cal Poly State University"
• "Cuesta College" (Not in community. Low priority. Only if space is available on sign as heading
north on Santa Rosa.)
• "Performing Arts Center"
Page 1 of 2
Exhibit C
"SLO High School" (Low priority. Include if sign available nearby.)
Sports Field & regional type parks where large events might be held (as you get closer to the park)
o "Sinsheimer Sports Complex"
o "Laguna Lake Park"
o "Santa Rosa Park"
o "Damon Garcia Sports Fields"
o "Laguna Lake Golf Course" (Low priority but include if sign near by.)
• "County Courthouse"_
"City Hall"
• "Visitors Center"
• "Highway 101" (Try to focus on getting vehicles to major on/off ramps such as at Marsh, Santa
Rosa and maybe Monterey. Do not guide to the smaller ramps)
• "Highway 1"
• "Wine Region" (Limited since outside of community. Possibly at Broad/Higuera, Broad/Marsh
and at Airport)
• "Lodging" (Only if it can be located so that no lodging opportunity is left out)
Destinations for Pedestrian Signs in Downtown.
• "Mission/Mission Plaza"
• "Visitors Center"
• "Public Restroom"
• "History Center of San Luis Obispo County"
• "Children's Museum"
• "Museum of Art"
• "Public Library"
• "City Hall"
• "Post Office"
• "County Courthouse"
• "County Government Center" (Limited. Only if sign available)
• "Parking Structure"_
• "Transit Center"
• "Bubblegum Alley"
• "Creek Walk"
Page 2 of 2
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