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Council tables vote on new Wishkah River Bridge welcome sign after public concern over readability and outreach
Summary
The Arts Commission recommended a new sign design by Tim Gervin funded in part with lodging tax; council voted to table the contract so the artist's designs can be shown for broader public review and to address contrast and visibility concerns.
The Aberdeen City Council on Wednesday tabled authorization to execute a contract with artist Tim Gervin for a new Welcome to Aberdeen sign to be installed on the Wishkah River Bridge, after councilmembers and members of the public raised concerns about readability and prior public outreach.
Director Stacy Barr told the council the Arts Commission solicited eight artist submissions and selected Gervin’s concept; the commission had recommended $2,500 in lodging-tax funding for artist compensation, with remaining costs for fabrication and installation to follow. Barr said commission members wanted imagery that reflected Aberdeen’s music, maritime and forestry history and the Quinault Indian Nation.
Council members and residents questioned visibility, color contrast and the number of icons included in the design. Councilmember Alice and others said the small iconography at the bottom of the proposed sign would be hard for drivers to decipher and asked for higher contrast and simpler wording. Several council members asked staff to show the other designs Gervin submitted and to advertise them publicly before the council decides on fabrication. A council motion to table the item passed; staff said they will return with the artist’s alternate concepts and public-comment opportunity at a future meeting.
Councilmembers also noted the existing sign’s structural deterioration and asked staff to expedite review so the replacement (or repair) happens before a safety hazard occurs. No contract was executed; the council directed staff to bring back Gervin’s other designs and to arrange public outreach.
