Wayfinding Signs
The Town is developing a system of wayfinding signs for placement in and around Downtown Amherst.
project goals
- Economic development: directs people to downtown business district
- Economic recovery: re-emphasize vitality of downtown businesses emerging from the pandemic
- Place-making: assists visitors in finding key destinations in downtown area
- Directional: guides visitors to landmarks outside of downtown
- Brand Identification: design reflects Town character and adds to placemaking efforts
Project history
- Project has had many starts and stops
- Began with state grant in 2015
- Working group consisted of University, BID, Chamber, Dickinson Museum, Select Board, Town Staff. Worked with a designer to develop family of signs. Not satisfied with design.
- Hired Seth Gregory Design of Northampton in 2017
- Public process with Select Board in 2017-2018
- Select Board approved family of signs in 2018
- Town Meeting authorized $90,000 at 2018 Annual Town Meeting
- Planning Department has continued to refine the sign design standards with Seth Gregory Design
- Design and relevant locations were approved by the Town's Design Review Board, Local Historic District Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals in 2020
- In May 2021, the Town Council approved the locations of these signs and Planning Department staff are working to finalize the design and implement the project.
