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Fountain council hears final designs, timeline for citywide wayfinding system; adoption planned in June
Summary
City staff and consultants presented the phase 3 design for a multi‑year wayfinding signage master plan for Fountain, outlining sign types, materials, priorities, estimated per‑unit costs and a proposed 10‑year implementation; adoption via resolution is scheduled for the June council meeting and no funding was approved tonight.
Fountain City officials and consultants presented the final design package for the city’s wayfinding signage master plan on May 27, telling the council the presentation closes phase 3 of a multi‑year project and that formal adoption will be considered in June.
The presentation, led by Kimberly Bailey, Fountain’s economic development director, and consultant Kristin Seifer of Michael Baker, summarized public outreach, a recommended family of sign types for five districts and a 10‑year implementation timeline. Bailey said the packet presented tonight is a design and adoption item only and that “there is no action tonight. Tonight is strictly a presentation of the final product materials.”
Why it matters: council members were shown how consistent signage could improve navigability, promote local businesses and address safety concerns by giving drivers earlier, clearer advance notice of turns and destinations. The plan ties to the city’s strategic objective to “support local business development” and, Bailey said, is intended to be cost‑effective, durable and easy to maintain.
Key details presented: the plan divides Fountain into five districts and recommends a kit of parts that includes large vehicular directional signs, district gateway signs, pedestrian and trail signs, park destination signs and an Interstate 25 gateway concept. The consultants recommended powder‑coated metal with retroreflective lettering for many panels, and a mix of illuminated gateway pieces and non‑illuminated, retroreflective directional signs to control long‑term maintenance and energy costs. Seifer said the design work incorporated more than 1,000 public touch points and steering‑committee feedback.
Cost and timing: No money was approved tonight. The consultants gave example cost ranges for vehicular directional signs from about $1,200 for a simple pole sign to about $6,000 for a more stylistic assembly; a replacement box over an existing I‑25 footer was listed at about $25,000 per unit. Bailey told council that the June adoption packet will include “the full quantitative value specified thereof” — cost per district and the family set of signs — and that future implementation will be brought back as separate funding requests, potentially using grants and partner funding. She said the city and the county have discussed shared maintenance MOUs where county jurisdiction applies.
Partner coordination and compliance: the team worked with Colorado Department of Transportation, El Paso County Parks and El Paso County Public Works on placement and regulatory compliance. Bailey said the city must submit formal resolutions for CDOT requirements as part of the June adoption in order to pursue grant funding.
Council response and next steps: council members asked about material durability and maintenance costs; Seifer cited case studies in Colorado mountain communities and said similar materials have performed well since 2017–2018. Council member Rick requested follow‑up with other cities about long‑term maintenance and breakage in severe weather. Bailey and staff said the plan will be posted for public review and that the adoption item — including two required resolutions and the procurement guide — will return to council on the June 17 docket. No funding or purchase contracts were approved tonight.
The city will return in June with the final master plan for adoption and the accompanying cost estimates; any actual installation projects will be proposed later as separate appropriation items or grant‑funded projects.
