The Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation voted 4 to 1 on Aug. 12 to authorize payment of $36,253.30 to Bay Area Signs and Electrical LLC to fabricate and install wayfinding and gateway signage tied to the downtown improvement plan.

The vote followed a presentation by Steven Aubrey of the Parks and Recreation Department, who described the package as “fabrication, installation, and anything else needed” for the signs and said staff had been directed to look at six locations along FM 518. Aubrey said the board had asked staff to evaluate “entry and wayfinding signage, commonly known as the bookends” and directional signs placed in median sections.

The board discussed two sizes of entrance—or “bookend”—signs: a taller, narrow vertical sign (about 108 inches tall, roughly 9 feet) and a shorter, wider gateway sign (about 62 inches, roughly 5 feet). Aubrey provided pricing and explained location constraints, noting the FM 2351 end of town has narrow right‑of‑way that would likely require median placement or easements. He told the board that “it's about 6 to 8 weeks for fabrication and installation” once a purchase order is approved and the city council signs off.

Board members debated aesthetics and maintenance. One member argued the taller vertical sign “delineates the beginning and the end” of downtown, while others preferred the lower, wider sign to avoid visual clutter and potential interference with poles and streetlights. Several members requested the EDC preserve space for landscaping in medians and asked staff to coordinate with TxDOT and the maintenance agreement. Aubrey said parks staff would get quotes for vegetation or ground treatment to ensure plantings would not obscure signs.

The motion before the board, as presented by staff and Bay Area Signs and Electrical LLC, covered two gateway/bookend signs plus four median signs spaced through downtown. A board member moved to approve the budget as presented; another seconded. The board adopted the proposal 4–1. One member voted nay; the transcript does not record a name tied to that vote.

Staff noted a timing sequence: the EDC approval advances a purchase order request to the city council and, after city approvals, fabrication and installation are estimated at six to eight weeks. Aubrey said staff would confirm exact sign locations and medians before fabrication and would bring landscaping/maintenance plans back to the board for review prior to installation.

The contract vendor listed in the meeting materials is Bay Area Signs and Electrical LLC. The proposal covered fabrication and installation for signage intended to support wayfinding and branding consistent with the downtown improvement plan.