Ypsilanti to consider extensive wayfinding signage project in 2013
Have you ever needed help finding your way around Ypsilanti?
If so, the city hopes to address that by launching a comprehensive wayfinding project that would replace and install several new signs around the city over the course of two to three years.
Ypsilanti may consider beginning an extensive wayfinding project similar to the one Ann Arbor did in 2009.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com file photo
Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority Director Tim Colbeck said the project has long been a priority of the Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau to create unified wayfinding for the entire city.
The DDA is working with the Eastern Leaders Group and the visitors bureau on the project, which they hope to begin sometime this year.
Colbeck said Eastern Michigan University and the city of Ann Arbor have good examples of what the signage may look like. The signs point to major buildings on campus and in the city.
Ann Arbor DDA leaders announced in 2009, the planned installation of nearly 200 new signs guiding pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The project was completed to improve navigation for visitors and new community residents.
“There’s a similar need here,” Colbeck said.
Colbeck said the three partners are in the process of sending out requests for proposals to possible consultants and companies to help move the project along and figure out the costs.
“This would be a phase, multi-year project,” Colbeck said. “We would probably install them over the two to three years and we’re trying to get this thing on the fast track.”
Colbeck said they don’t yet have a cost estimate and probably won’t until they hire a consultant, which alone could cost “tens of thousands.”
“It could be a very expensive project,” Colbeck said.
Debbie Locke-Daniel, director of the bureau, said it will likely cover a big portion of the costs and the Eastern Leaders Group has stated it will contribute as well. Daniel said the costs will be dependent upon how many they choose to install, how decorative they are and the materials.
It’s going to be expensive enough where I don’t see it happening in all of 2013,” Locke-Daniel said.
Despite the costs, Locke- Daniel said the signage is necessary and could help with tourism development.
“Signage is important when you’re talking about getting people around,” she said.
Locke-Daniel is leading the planning process and expects the RFPs to be sent out this week.
Colbeck said the project is needed because there’s a mismatch of signs across the city, with some so old and some spots with no signage at all.
Locke-Daniel said she would like for the first part of the project to put new signs up at the entrance gateways off of Huron Street, near Interstate 94, which she said would guide tourists and motorists to the most important parts of the city.
"I think that signs speak to your community," Locke-Daniel said. "When you get off the highway, it can be perplexing."
The signs will largely encompass the "campus town" area, as well as Depot Town and the downtown area, Locke-Daniel said. The signs to Riverside Park and Frog Island Park may be replaced as well.
Locke-Daniel said the project could potentially expand to include street signs, to create a more unified look.
Although the project is still in its initial phase, at some point, the city council may be asked to approve the project. Locke-Daniel said she has already been working with City Planner Teresa Gillotti on the project.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Ypsi Eastsider
Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 2:22 a.m.
There goes another $50,000 of taxpayer money down the hole. No matter the source it is still taxpayer money. Get rid of 1-way street and the current signs work fine.
TommyJ
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.
Just as long as they includes signs to find your way out of Ypsi as fast as possible.
Really??!!
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.
Give me a break! What exactly will the signs point to? The Déjà Vu stripper club this way, the Water Street non-development area that way, street gang high crime area this way, exceptionally blighted commercial area that way, marijuana dispensaries this way, etc. The signage in Ann Arbor is tastefully done and necessary as it is home to a world class university. Ypsilanti is traveled solely by residents and employees of local businesses. Spending one dollar on signage, when our existing street and traffic signage is either missing entirely or in complete disrepair, is absolutely ludicrous! The continued examples of waste in the city, although humorous at times in a strangely pathetic way, are simply beyond comprehension.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 9:53 p.m.
Gotcha by 13 years Really??!! so as they say, "Go fish".
Really??!!
Tue, Mar 26, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
Have lived in the City of Ypsilanti for almost 20 years, Jonathan. Can you make the same claim?
Jonathan Blutarsky
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 8:30 p.m.
Well I agree the signage is a waste - but I don't believe you know anything about Ypsilanti because once again you describe an Ypsilanti that only seems to exist in your mind.
Think!
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 4:36 p.m.
Whatever happened to the lovely notion of figuring it out. Of wandering and finding new places you never knew existed? I used to think the lab rats running mazes were just in cubicle farms. With GPS and too much signage, the whole country is full of lab rats running the maze. Ypsi, don't get beige. Don't become Ann Arbor.
millermaple
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 3:49 p.m.
the Ann Arbor signs cost over one million dollars. http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/05/downtown_ann_arbor_to_get_wayf.html About 150 signs ranging from "welcome to downtown" to others pointing the way to parking and major city attractions will be installed at various points around the city. The DDA had budgeted about $1.1 million for the project and approved a $923,155 contract with Fairmont, which includes costs for such things as lane closure permits.
TheDiagSquirrel
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.
This is ridiculous, as much as I love Ypsi (no sarcasm), it doesn't have the downtown density or recognized neighboorhoods that would signify a need for this. And yes, Ann Arbor's downtown signage is also ridiculous. Most people have phone GPS nowadays, as people have said, also.
Dog Guy
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
Not a problem: I pin a name-and-address note on my shirt before going to Ypsilanti.
Katrease Stafford
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
Interesting thoughts so far. Aside from the possibility of new signs, what does everyone think about replacing some of the city's current street signs? Do they need to be updated? That's a possible aspect of this project, too.
beardown
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
The city is broke. None of us care about the signs and I highly doubt the city is losing business patrons due to poor signage. Focus on growing the coffers of the city and paying for increased services. Then worry about signage.
slave2work
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 2:55 p.m.
Having lived here for 35 years I really don't pay much attention to signs. But why add more clutter?..I can see " maybe" 1 or 2 signs on huron before you get into town, as to where depot town ,farmers market are. Seems a silly waste of money that Ypsi doesn't have. They could wait a few years so they include anything on waters acres.. the rec center( if it gets done)
Catherine Wright
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
Signs? Signs? That has been a priority???? Because there is such an influx of out of towners flocking to our city????? Good grief. I think that there needs to be new people in these offices. Too many crap ideas flowing through City of Ypsilanti.
Brad
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
They just need one sign in the middle of town: "Center of Ypsilanti. No matter which way you go you are leaving". I kid Ypsi ;)
mr_annarbor
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:22 p.m.
I wonder how much those signs really help people. It seems to me that they're so high up that no one really notices them. And, as someone pointed out, there are more people now with GPS apps to help them get where they want to go.
DJBudSonic
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:32 p.m.
Not high enough, I saw a biker about crack his skull going under one on Liberty. It knocked him right off his bike. Guess he should have been using the bike lanes.
DJBudSonic
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
Speaking of misleading, it is clear from the photo that those who did these signs didn't know crap about the city. Maybe because they were from Northern Michigan and not local? How about rotating the directional arrows to point at the destination? Who is going to find Kerrytown by going West on Liberty? And the Power Center or Rackham by going North on State? Just another example of the fine service provided by the DDA and City Hall progressives.
FrankOZ
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 3:21 p.m.
Bravo! Well-said.
DJBudSonic
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:10 p.m.
Those signs were a BIG waste of money and many of them offer confusing information, on the backs, and attempt to establish boundaries that serve only to misdirect. Just say no to expensive signage on the taxpayers dime. I can tell you what those cost, and if the price of just one was published people would not believe it. And that is not including the design, permitting and installation costs. A big waste of money. Ypsilanti needs a few signs on the outlying intersections, not a sign every block. Of course, when out of town businesses see Ann Arbor on an RFP the $$$'s light up their eyes. Yes, the Ann Arbor DDA and City Council hired an out of town company to do their signs, at great expense.
FrankOZ
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 1:06 p.m.
The wayfinding signs in Ann Arbor are, literally, a joke. We were just talking about these awful signs with friends over dinner Friday night. The 4 of us have all lived in the area over 25 years and we find them confusing. They make Huron appear to be Main Street and and vice-versa. They make downtown appear to be part of the UM Medical Center. God only knows where the heck Kerrytown is if you follow the signs. If Ypsi does this, they may want to use a focus group to see if the signs actually help or hinder. Honestly, as a visitor in Ann Arbor, if I followed the current signage, I'd just give up and go home.
ralphypsilanti
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
Change the downtown one way-one grid system - Hamilton, Cross, Emmet, Pearl, Huron to two way roads. We don't need more distracted drivers viewing signs.
Brad
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.
That photo does show extensive signage in Ann Arbor. It looks like there are two signs about 10 feet apart with redundant information. "Hey - which way to Main St. again??"
northside
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 10:50 a.m.
Save your money, Ypsi. Most people now have smart phones with gps apps. And as someone who regularly drives in downtown Ann Arbor, I can't say the signs have reduced the number of drivers who seem to have no clue where they're going.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 10:36 a.m.
will one point to water street fields?
jondhall
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
Never Ever let them live that down that was the DISMISS of Ypsilanti City
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 10:28 a.m.
Tourism? C'mon. Publish the cost of ONE sign with 3 items on it. This is a prime example of looking for new and different ways to spend money. When projects like this are what come up, people should start demanding lower property taxes or voting everyone involved out of office.
pseudo
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 10:22 a.m.
as someone who just hosted 150 out of towners to Ypsi recently, signage and way-finding are NOT an issue that came up. Ypsi is not Ann Arbor, its far smaller and its not hard to find things in this city. the feedback I got was this: our buildings are not well maintained - many pointed to the one on the south west corner of Mich ave and Huron as an example, the one-way streets are frustrating, our shops are wonederful and our restaurants are fine, but getting from one side of Michigan ave to the other is a pain. pretty signs feel good but don't actually do much and this would be why a "tax capturing authority" that isn't accountable directly to the voters is not helpful in a town like Ypsi.
jondhall
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
SW corner of Michigan and Huron is that not City Hall?
tdw
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
That is EXACTLY my first thoughts.