Council to Vote On Proposed Town Gateway Signs Tuesday

The Town is considering placing new signs at the seven different entrances into the town limits, and they want the public's feedback on the proposed designs.

A small version and a large version are proposed, and one of the two will be placed at all seven "gateways" into the town, depending on the specific site's constraints.

The designs were made by a committee comprised of representatives from the Town's boards and commissions, as well as citizens.

"[The committee] was directed by the Council to take all of these things into account - our history, the brand identity, the downtown master plan, Metro, et cetera - and to come up with a design, with the help of professional designers, of course," Mayor Lisa Merkel said on her Facebook page. "We wanted less 'visual clutter' on the signs, and didn't want them to look like every other 'welcome to town' sign that you see out there."

See photos of the proposed designs and a map of all seven locations above, as well as on the Town's website here.

Merkel said the new signs have been included in the Town's Capital Improvement Plan for years. The previous signs have been in place since 1975. 

The Town Council discussed the designs at a recent work session, and Merkel said residents have been writing in their feedback.

"At the Council’s work session last week, we discussed the need for public input prior to the public hearing on the item [Tuesday] night, at which we will vote whether or not to approve the design as presented, or with modifications," she told Patch on Monday. "I am delighted at the degree to which citizens have been responding, through emails and social media, with their thoughts and opinions. I encourage additional public testimony at the hearing [Tuesday] night."

Merkel said the majority of feedback on the signs has been positive.

"I really like the signs installed vertically," said Meredith Billman Mani on the mayor's Facebook page, speaking of the "small gateway" design. "They take up less space and don't seem as busy. They also seem more modern to me, which flows well with the branding and the proposed revitalization downtown. Both look great. We will be lucky to have either, but my two cents go for the vertical hang."

"I like the middle one. It shows our history, and the graphics are cool," wrote Gene Vetere.

Some say they are disappointed the signs favor the new town logo over the historic town seal.

"I love how you captured our history as a train depot in the wheels depicted [at the top of the sign]. Very nice!" wrote 30-year town resident Janice Spillan. "I understand, however, that you are considering adding our new, tech-y Town logo, which I do not believe is in keeping with the Town’s historic past. If that is true, I implore you to not replace the historic Town Seal with the new Town logo on the gateway signs to the Town of Herndon."

"If the Town has any legacy at all to promote, the Town Seal should be included in, or replace, any new logo," wrote Mike Bradley, a resident and member of the town's Board of Zoning Appeals.

"If the logo must be used at all it should only be used for specific, limited marketing campaigns. The logo should never replace the Town Seal or appear in any permanent installations," wrote resident Steve DeBenedittis. "The Town Seal is a timeless design, while the new logo has a limited shelf life and will soon look out of date."

Merkel thanked the committee for their hard work on the designs.

"I know I speak for my Council colleagues when I thank the sign subcommittee – comprised of boards and commissions members, all of whom are Town residents – for their hard work in developing a gateway sign design for our consideration," she said.

The estimated costs are between $20,000 to $40,000 per sign, though Town staff said they believe it would be toward the lower end of the range.

Residents Invited to Give Feedback

Members of the public are invited to attend the Town Council meeting Tuesday and offer feedback on the design for the signs during the public hearing, after which the Council is expected to vote. 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 765 Lynn St.


TELL US - What do you think of the proposed designs? Tell us in the comments below.

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