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Boardman groups seek bigger signs of welcome
Special to the Vindicator
Photo
Community groups are banding together to raise money for new township signs that will look like the one pictured above.
BOARDMAN
When the Rev. Ash Welch first came to Boardman, he kept watch for signs welcoming him to the township.
“I almost missed it,” he said of the sign on U.S. Route 224 that he passed while driving from state Route 11.
At a recent trustees meeting, the Rev. Mr. Welch said new signs have been talked about for a long time, but now “it’s time to actually do something.”
“I would like to see our church come up with the money for the first sign,” said Mr. Welch, a pastor at Boardman United Methodist Church on Market Street.
Mr. Welch suggested collaboration among Boardman Community Pride, the Boardman Community Foundation and other township philanthropic groups.
Jim Rosa, president of the Boardman Community Foundation, said the group is looking to work together with other entities.
“I think the current signs are old and dilapidated. You want a sign that shows that you’re a progressive, welcoming community,” Rosa said.
The proposed brick signs will cost between $5,000 and $7,000 each, said township Administrator Jason Loree.
The goal is to install four signs — one at each main entry point to the township on Route 224 and Market Street, he said.
“We are going to try and do this project through donations,” Loree said.
He added that with the exception of having road department employees erect the signs, no township resources would be used.
Sign design originally was created pro bono in 2006 by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative at Kent State University