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3 firms pitch plan for wayfinding signs in Youngstown
Process could take more than a month
YOUNGSTOWN
Three firms seeking to design “wayfinding” signs, primarily downtown, will have to wait about a month before city officials make a decision on which to select.
Also, the process could take longer as the city determines how much will be spent for the project and where that money would come, said Mayor John A. McNally.
The city also plans to seek funding from nonprofit organizations for the project, Law Director Martin Hume said.
The three firms gave presentations Wednesday at a public meeting at the Covelli Centre’s conference room. About 25 people attended.
City council has authorized the board of control to spend up to $26,000 for the first phase of the project, which includes determining the locations of the signs and other preliminary design plans.
During the presentations, the three firms focused on their accomplishments elsewhere. But officials with the companies said they are confident Youngstown would benefit from wayfinding signs and other similar items — such as pedestrian kiosks with maps.
“A wayfinding system is primarily for a first-time visitor,” said Mark VanderKlipp, president of Corbin Design of Traverse City, Mich., one of the companies that gave a proposal.
The signs would help get people to points of interest, primarily downtown, as well as parking locations.
Corbin’s cost for the initial phase is $12,360 with an estimated total cost of $56,340.
Also making presentations were KMA Design of Carnegie, Pa., and Studio Graphique of Cleveland.
KMA’s first-phase cost is $10,775 with a full cost at $44,764.
Studio’s first-phase cost is $26,000 with the rest of the work at an additional $35,000 to $50,000.
The proposals don’t include the construction or installation of the signs. The firms would oversee those tasks.
The cost of construction and installation was only touched upon as it would be up to city officials as to how much would be spent.
Some proposed prices for that work thrown out by the firms included $100,000 to $250,000, though other cities have spent considerably more.