Board reviews new signage, magnetized maps and summer ambassador kiosks to reduce visitor confusion

A citizen complimented recent wayfinding work at the harbor and urged more visible signage; port staff presented conceptual designs that would use metal signs with magnetized ship-name plates, closer sidewalk symbols, and two kiosks to support waterfront ambassadors and ShoreX operations.

Jen Tas opened public comment thanking the board for new signs and the colored sidewalk symbols and said she’d like multiple “thank you for visiting Skagway” markers between Sinking Avenue and Harbor Way so guests have more than one chance to connect a ship name to a ground symbol.

Port Director Jennings and designer Kira said the packet’s map content is conceptual and that their plan is to standardize and update symbols, adjust spacing (the current sidewalk symbols are roughly 36 feet apart) and deploy two metal kiosks this summer. Kira said the magnetic placards will allow daily updates of the ship at each dock; she noted staff or waterfront ambassadors currently change map magnets each morning and at night.

Board members raised operational questions: who will change daily magnets (port groundskeepers and ambassadors have done that in recent seasons), whether signage near the state highway (Broadway) is allowable, and whether ambassadors can be placed at key pinch points such as near the AMHS ferry area. Jennings said staff tested elevated signs on the seawall last season and that seasonal ambassadors (including Ray Singh last fall) helped with pedestrian direction; staffing levels and shift scheduling remain a work item.

The board treated the presentation as conceptual and directed staff to continue development of the signage plan and kiosk deployment timeline for the summer season.