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EWU planning students to help design a public engagement plan for Medical Lake wayfinding signs
Summary
City staff described a partnership with an Eastern Washington University (EWU) planning capstone class. Eight students will research and propose a public engagement plan for wayfinding and gateway signs in Medical Lake; the city has four aging gateway signs and is exploring a cohesive wayfinding program.
Medical Lake staff told the Planning Commission the city is partnering with a planning capstone class at Eastern Washington University to develop a public engagement plan for wayfinding and gateway signage.
Staff said the eight planning students will not design signs, but will research public engagement strategies and offer ideas for a cohesive, user-friendly wayfinding system. “So the, what a capstone class is kind of the final project for an undergraduate degree… We have 8 planning students that are helping us with a public engagement plan for, wayfinding signs in the city,” staff said.
Staff noted the city has four gateway signs and that the students toured the city to learn local history and assets. The goal is to produce ideas to improve signage that highlights points of interest, supports tourism and local business, and helps residents find trails and amenities. “The city is interested in replacing those signs and also creating, wayfinding signs… trying to create branding for the city, something that is unique to Medical Lake,” staff said.
Why it matters: Wayfinding could increase local economic activity by encouraging visitors and Eastern Washington University employees to stop in town, and could improve residents’ access to trails and parks. The project is an early-stage, short-term academic collaboration; staff emphasized there is no set timeline and that the final project may present to city council.
Next steps: Staff will receive the students’ engagement plan at the end of the quarter and will update the commission if the class chooses to present to the Planning Commission or to City Council.
