This is what happens when the left runs the right. Taxpayers money squandered and they think nothing of tearing it down. This is Fed grant money, it comes from folks just like you!
Ken, it must be beautiful...they paid a San Francisco design firm a lot of money to design it.
Don't you wonder sometimes how elected leaders can get so far out of step with the people who elected them?
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Here's part of the problem right here.....
quote: Gregory Tung, of Freedman, Tung and Bottomly, the San Francisco architectural firm that designed the sign, said he’s not insulted there are negative comments. But he said dozens of local residents attended design- review meetings about the sign and other River Street improvement features five years ago, and that the sign’s plans drew positive responses.
He also said the sign’s design incorporated the desires of residents who participated in the River Street project workshops.
He said the colors reflect the festive Santa Cruz environment and stand out against the redwoods, while reflecting River Street’s industrial look.
1) It was designed by an architect. 2) The "residents" who participated in the workshops were just more cooks in the kitchen. 3) No sign folk were involved (from what I read)
What has got me curious is, "Where is the $83k?" Somebody got took.
And now they want to take it down. "Dem folk got more money than brains."
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
Well...I can only say: "Imagine your suprise"
Designed by committee is the first clue...second is design by architect...third is $85,000!!!!
I also see by the design entrants that you have some heavy compitition down your way...hahaha Like (hey..my cousins kid can sure draw..he can make you a sign!) Did they even think to get the sign folk involved? Well maybe they will come to you first. good luck and thanks for the laugh.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i lived in sarasota fl. for 20 years....home of RINGLING SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN. not taking into consideration of the local artists and all the great sign people(harvey copeland, did all the ringling circus art work for many years)they did one of these "monument" signs to a downtown area know as MARINA JACKS and some park area that is also there. they hired some firm from califorina to design an entrance to the tune off $60- 80,000 and what a piece of crap it was....
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Ahhhhh yes. Sign design by committee.
Been there done that. In fact I am in the middle of such a project now.
Only this time I got a little smarter. I kept control. Offered the 'committee' limited choices, ones that didn't compromise the design no matter which way it went. And because they weren't picking up the tab, they didn't dare offend those who were... us.
I didn't even attend most of the meetings. I don't like to go there. It did take more than 6 months to get it through the process... something that would have taken days or hours in the private sector.
And now it is time to construct the signs. Should be fun. I have learned not to state my opinions on the site, but rather to just the folks with the power. And then sparingly when it counts. And smile a lot.
In the end I get what I wanted... some decent monument signs for our community to replace the stuff that was there before. In time, with patience we win. One little challenge at a time.
And we do it without stress.
Different from the old days when I wasn't quite as patient.
No matter where you go... only the names and faces change... not the politics.
have fun! and don't sweat the little stuff.
-dan
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
According to the news this morning March 3, Santa Cruz is offering this sign for sale on E-Bay - as is, where is. Went searching for it but couldn't find it.
Hey Ken, need a new sign for your business? Vic G
Posted by Samazon (Member # 408) on :
Wow! Wonder what the reserve is?!
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Wasn't this Santa Cruz sign thingie posted here just a couple months ago? I think the sign is beautiful and the colors sure are a sight for sore eyes, may look best underwater!
Posted by paul taylor (Member # 2782) on :
an other example why governments should stay out of the business of property development.Atleast in the united states if people don t like something they do have more power than the ballot box to do something about it . Too bad more people would not take an interest in how your tax money is spent or wasted and attend the meeting before hand . In nova scotia you write a letter to the editor voicing your opinion about the doings of these Billy Bobs and you burned at the stake partically. Billy Bobs, architechs and others not creators of wealth should not have their hands on your money. Put them in the middle of manhattan selling hotdogs and they would not survive in business.
Posted by Ken Morse (Member # 1799) on :
Victor
This sign has been in the paper almost every week. I did not want to mention it in anticipation of the conclusion, but the E-Bay is worth a funny bone entry. Only in Santa Cruz and what we call “Insanity Cruz”. Ken
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
