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This is the second in my series of articles from my presentation at the August, Newport Downtown meeting.
In visiting other Main Street communities I've kept my eyes open looking for how other communities direct visitors to the shops, restaurants and attractions in their downtowns. I've noticed that the more vibrant Main Streets have included environmental graphics (signs) into their streetscapes directing pedestrians to shops, restaurants and attractions in their downtowns.
Chesterton, Indiana uses a directory sign to highlight the major attractions in their community, but it does little to inform visitors about the businesses in their downtown. On a positive note it's at a scale and location that is functional for both motorists and pedestrians.
Rising Sun, Indiana uses a mall styled directory at either end of their Main Street. These directories are well suited for pedestrians, can be easily updated if businesses change and do an excellent job of promoting local businesses and attractions. On the negative side, if you park in the Business district you essentially have to leave the business district to view the business directories, and if your a motorist the directories are of little to help you.
La Grange, Kentucky seems to compromise between Chesterton and Rising Sun. La Grange's directories are located at the far ends of the business district and located and sized to be beneficial to both pedestrians and motorists. I also like the format where the individual entries can be changed by just changing the white plaques on the signs. The directional arrows are also a plus.
Saugatuck, Michigan in my opinion does the best job of providing directional graphics for pedestrians. They work for motorists, but Saugautck's focus is on pedestrian traffic. To the extent that when entering Saugatuck you are directed to parking lots either on the edges of the business district, or on weekends to lots well outside of the business district with shuttle bus service. The message in Saugatuck is clear; on summer weekends, leave your car and walk.
In the center of the Saugatuck business district attached to the side of a large commercial building is a large map of the area and a business directory. It's not the most attractive directory I've seen, but it's been there for years and is so prominent that it's become a landmark in Saugatuck. Around the directory are advertisements for local businesses that can be easily changed and updated. At the bottom of the directory are local business directory brochures that have an excellent map of the downtown and area attractions.
What really makes Saugatuck stand out are the small signs at every intersection in the downtown. These signs are placed high enough to be seen by motorists and yet are on a scale accessible to pedestrians. They point out the businesses in the next block, direct you to the areas major attractions and even let you know which way to go to find a public restroom. The white plaques are easily changed and the directional arrows are very helpful. In my opinion this is the best example of directional signage I've seen in a downtown.
How do we compare? Recently large directional signage was placed at the exit ramps and at locations in Newport, Covington and Bellevue as a Southbank Partners project. They are well designed, attractive and do a great job directing motorists to the major regional attractions. These signs fall short in helping pedestrians find local businesses. I think there's a lesson to be learned from these communites is there is a need for directional signage both for motorists and pedestrians and one solution probably won't work for both. Southbank has developed excellent signage for motorist, but the Newport Downtown businesses to consider how we can best use directories and signage to attract pedestrians to explore Newport Downtown.
Chesteron, Indiana
Rising Sun, Indiana
Lagrange, Kentucky
Sauagtuck, Michigan
Sauagtuck, Michigan
Newport, Kentucky
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