08/14/91 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CASE #3 MONUMENT SIGNS FOR THE CITY OF RAMSEY By: James Gromberg, Project Manager Background: One of the goals with the Highway #10 Corridor Study.that was completed in January, 1988, was the establishment of community identity by providing gateway signing or monumentation signing along the Highway gl0 Corridor. The City currently has signs indicating City limits; however, based on the type of construction, these signs have become less appealing to the eye. The Economic Development Commission, at this time, may want to consider a possible construction of monument signs similar to the type and design shown in the Highway #10 Corridor Study. I have included the following items for your information: 1) 2) 3) Pages from the Highway gl0 Corridor Study referring to the goals of monument signs. Illustrations of possible types of monument signs. Map showing locations for signs. Observations: One of the main problems the City of Ramsey suffers from is a lack of identity. The City's identity can be increased in a variety of ways. One .suggestion would be the development and placement of monument signs at the entrance to the City of Ramsey along the main traffic corridors. These corridors would include the U.S. Highway gl0 Corridor, State Trunk Highway #47 and Nowthen Boulevard (County Road #5). The State Department of Transportation has indicated that monument signs would not be allowed in their rights-of-way. This would be good in the fact that the City would not be liable in case of an accident in which a car hits one of the signs. The City's other option for the placement of these signs would be to acquire an easement for the signs from property owners along the Corridor. The Economic Development Commission should also review the different types of signs and choose a style that would fit the City of Ramsey and one that would require minimal maintenance. The minimal maintenance would prevent the sign from getting a "run-down look" and thus identifying the City with the negative aspects that would be drawn from "run-down" signs. One of the other problems facing the City is the cost of the monument signs. An option available to the City in the payment of these signs would be to request a donation from local businesses. For said donation, the business name could be placed upon the monument sign. Local community service groups could also be asked for donations which would allow their name to be placed on the sign also. Another option is to ask for straight donations from local businesses for the construction costs of the sign and the cost of the easements that will be required for the placement of the signs if these cannot be gained by donation from the affected property owner. The City also needs to plan for the annual upkeep of the signs. This may be a project for either a local youth group or possibly a community service group such as the Ramsey Lions Club.