Down here, we have a growing number of developments that are centered around the "city square" concept. That is where new town hall's are being constructed with commercial buildings surrounding them...like in the old days..
Many cities have not had to deal with projecting signs over sidewalks..."city property" in many of the outlying areas and are now dealing with code changes to promote this pedestrian freindly atmosphere...so...
My question...what has been your experience or argument on blade signs in the area you reside or have had experience in?
in other words...selling the importance of blades on lower levels to attract customers from down the walk.
Thanks in Advance!
[ August 14, 2002, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Robert Beverly ]
-------------------- Robert Beverly Arlington, Texas Posts: 1033 | From: Arlington, Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Obviously, city codes vary, but the ADA guidlines for overhead directionals is Min. 80" from finished floor, and 3" Cap Height on messages (2" is currently being proposed) cap hieght increases due to viwing distance and hieght of sign, they have a sight distance chart on the Dept. of Justice website as well as proposed specs., 2 or 3" usually does it though, Contrast is 70%. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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here all signs must be 9 ft. above the side walk
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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There was a recent article in Sign Builder that discussed a change in the Chippewa Falls, WI downtown area. It mentioned that the city passed the OK for businesses to use projecting signs after a 30 year ban in hopes that businesses would be more visible to those entering the downtown shopping area.
I agree. I feel that these downtown area businesses need every advantage. These signs can follow guidelines to keep them visible, safe and aesthetic to the downtown. Many small towns are expanding outwards with larger mall type facilities, franchise stores, grocery stores and such that simply would not fit in the already conjested downtown areas. Parking is always an issue. These communities forever scream "keep everything down town"... they WANT the area to be productive and profitable and yet many want to confine each business to a flat wall sign that may or may not be seen by the time a potential customer drives past the location.
In our new (still working on it - almost done) ordinance, I argued FOR projecting signs as long as they follow the code. Ours reads like this:
(r) Projecting signs extend from the face of the wall of a building. Such signs shall not extend over a public sidewalk in excess of two-thirds the width of said side-walk and shall maintain a clear vertical clearance of ten (10) ft.
The reason for Two-Thirds is that not all of the sidewalks are the same width.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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I should have read that more carefully-(durrr) A previous employer I worked with did a study of other cities incorporating these signs and the advantages, (photo studies and business response) in a nice report and powerpoint presentation to the city to get a varience (along with other issues), and since the city saw advantages they agreed and allowed it. It helps if the developement includes the developer and/or architect, it seems to carry more cloat. We are also dealing with it now here in L.A. I think the architect put it in the city submittal plans, but I think it's still under review.... so we will see. I wish I had the photos but I never archived them for my portfolio. You might try surrounding area with similar developements going on. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Robert, here locally in the old town, the shingle is the Town's preferred option, and in a close by city, some sections of town mandate shingles.
The attitude seems to be that shingles are both "old" and good looking. Mike Jackson made the point a while back about customers having a sign budget independent of sign size, so they are willing to pay more per square foot for an upscale shingle. That does seem to be true out here. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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