Published: November 03, 2009 08:55 pm      

Bureau still hopes to install signs

Plans call for 300 signs directing visitors to local attractions

More than three years after the project’s conception, Cass County Visitor’s Bureau director Toni Savini says she wants to assure residents a new wayfinder system is still in the works.

“I really want people to know that we haven’t forgotten about it and that we are still working on it,” Savini said. “We keep it on our agenda and in the forefront. We want to keep it alive.”

The wayfinder system calls for about 300 signs to be installed throughout the city and county to identify attractions such as government buildings, historical sites, local parks, schools, medical facilities, restaurants, hotels and entertainment hot spots.

“This is a much longer process than I thought,” Savini said.

Savini said the visitor’s bureau carried out a study last year to determine phases for the project. She said Arin Shaver, the planning department’s assistant planning director, is helping to establish a plan of action for the signs.

Phase one would include posting signage in downtown Logansport.

“We believe since Logansport is the county seat, that the downtown of Logansport is the logical place to start,” Savini said.

Phase two would include signs for the rest of Logansport, and the final phase would address the rest of the county.

Savini said the organization was working closely with the city and county planning departments to ensure that signs were in line with regulations. Specifications for the signs, such as font size and sign material, are contingent upon Indiana Department of Transportation regulations, she said.

Community signs will be blue and county attraction signs will be green.

“No signs have been created yet,” Savini said. “The next step will be getting those specifications to get quotes and see what the pricing would be.”

Savini said the visitors bureau planned to look for grant money and at the organization’s budget to fund the project.

“We can’t really apply for grants until we get the specifications and get quotes on producing the signs,” she said.

The project’s timeline will depend on funding.

“I sure wish I had a timeline,” Savini said. “It is all depending on funding, and we all know how tight that is right now.”

Erecting the wayfinder signs throughout the county will be a benefit for all, Savini said.

“Signage has become really prominent and can be appreciated,” she said. “It can be difficult to navigate around Cass County, especially in Logansport, to the different venues. We want people to be comfortable when getting to the different hidden gems we have around our communities.”

• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.