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A sign to where for what?
If you've ever searched for a downtown Augusta destination but couldn't find a sign, a new project by city tourism officials will soon bring direction.
Locals and visitors alike are expected to benefit from new way-finding signs that will be placed along the city's major entry points and its attractions beginning in March.
The first phase of the project, 17 signs and banners, will be completed by early April.
"The hope is that we'll be able to attract more people," said Barry White, the president of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau. "... It's going to be very visible and change the face of Augusta."
The three-phase, $240,000 project, launched by tourism officials two years ago, is funded by a mix of federal grants and private-sector contributions. No local tax dollars are supporting the project.
Though the signs will be in different shapes and sizes, depending on their location and purpose, they will be uniform in style, with green backgrounds, gold trim and white lettering.
"If you happen to look at some areas of town, there's multiple signs of different shapes, colors and sizes," Mr. White said. "This will eliminate that."
Signs will include those for parking, pedestrians, information kiosks and gateway signs leading to specific areas of the city.
Jennifer Bowen, vice president of the visitors' bureau, said surveys of visitors have revealed they have had trouble finding some locations in the central business district. Downtown merchants have also voiced concerns over missing signs and the confusing placement of existing signs.
"The history of the need for signage has gone back for years," she said.
Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.
FIRST PHASE LOCATIONS
WELCOME SIGNS
Ninth and Broad streets
River Watch Parkway
13th Street and Waters Edge
Broad Street at Gordon Highway off ramp
Sixth Street and Walton Way
New Savannah Road and Laney-Walker Boulevard
12th and Greene streets
SHOPPING, DINING AND ARTS SIGNS
Interstate 20 and River Watch Parkway eastbound
I-20 and River Watch Parkway westbound
River Watch Parkway near canal bridge
I-20 and Washington Road eastbound
I-20 and Washington Road westbound
Corner of Berckmans and Washington roads
Berckmans Road near Augusta National Golf Club
Washington Road near Augusta National
INFORMATION KIOSKS
Tenth and Ellis streets
Tenth and Broad streets
Source: Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau
Comments
A sign to where for what?
Better fact check this one. I voted, when I was on the DDA, to provide some monies for this. Unless the DDA reversed its vote there is local tax dollars involved in this.
Strange idea. The similar back ground and letter and trim is a good idea, but the different shapes will confuse already confused people.
There ought to be an ordinance that the placement of a sign requires the removal of three other signs.
Downtown is scary..I suggest everybody just avoid it and we won't have to worry about any signs.
Where is Downtown, I can't find the sign!
Signs, Signs everywhere a sign, blocking up the scenery, invading my mind, do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign!
My favorite sign (been up for decades) is the one when you exit I-20 (heading east) onto Washington Rd. (heading into town). It says "Savannah River Scenic Highway." All you can see are gas stations, shopping centers, banks, motels, fast food places, and the Krispy Kreme! That's some scenery.
Hurry Hurry Get all the signs up before Masters week ok well at least half!WHATERVER!!!We don't need no more stinkin signs!!
"Hold-Up Alley"
"Gang Central"
"Crappy Area, BEWARE"
"Turf Wars"
"Augusta Commissioners Slam Dunk Contest"
James Brown Statue-over there
How about NO signs!
east bound, west bound-what?! If you see our signs already, Bobby Jones East is really going south, so let's not make things more confusing.
look! it must be a sign! (pun intended)
It would be much easier to give directions if we could get our street names back. The numbered streets made it easy.
The highway are no longer called by the numbers with which we were familiar. Now they are called by some name that has no relation to the area we are trying to find.
LittleLamb, ever exit off I-20 on to Martintown Rd? The sign says Keep Moving, Use acceleration lane. The 5' long lane ends at a major pull off spot and the traffic is so busy that if you don't yield you'll crash every time. We call it Carolina fun.
"Here's your Sign, Augusta"! Nice comments everyone. I guess we need the signs since you won't be able to see crap from I-20 after the death tunnel gets finished. (Bobby Jones to the River) Gonna need a sign just to know where the heck you are!
The good folks at H.O.N.G.K.O.N.G would be happy to help promote sinage in augusta at www.hongkongaugustaga.org
Why make signs about Augusta when there are songs which describe it quite well?
It is no place to be!
Atlanta 149 miles, Columbia 56 miles. That is the sign of the times. Passing the signs and then making that decision on which way is so nice. Looking back to see the sign "Augusta 16 miles" and knowing the Carolina line is less than that is real humor.
The distance measured, is from the interstate to the courthouse, for real!
Which politician has his financial interest in the sign business?
That's a sign of the times.
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