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Commission asks for audit of blue wayfinding signs; seeks more WSDOT signage to call out the Falls
Summary
Members raised equity concerns about privately placed blue wayfinding blades that single out some businesses and discussed a city effort to ask WSDOT to add 'Falls' and downtown language to two I‑90 signs.
Commissioners asked city staff on May 21 to audit small blue 'blade' wayfinding signs and to clarify whether those signs were paid, permitted or allowed.
Gary, a new commission member, cited an example on the Ridge: "Snoqualmie Falls Brewing has specific blue signs," and asked whether that treatment was available to all businesses. Nicole, the city community liaison, said the green pole wayfinding system is limited to broad "anchors" such as parks, lodgings and the depot, and that the single‑blade blue signs are separate. "The only things that are called out on those signs are what we consider anchors, like, in museums... We're not calling out specific businesses," Nicole said, and she agreed the city needs to audit the individual blue blades for equity and accuracy.
Nicole said some of the small blade signs have been removed for being out of date and suggested staff would coordinate with the community development director on a policy to explain whether naming rights or payments were involved. "We do need to do a better audit of those," she said.
Commissioners also discussed a separate signage request on state highways. Mike Chambliss described ongoing outreach to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to add Falls and downtown language to signs on I‑90 and the parkway. "I have been in communications with WSDOT. I found somebody who would talk to me... and then she quit," Chambliss said; he added staff and commissioners are trying to locate the right WSDOT contact to make the change.
Chambliss said two existing signs call out the Falls but several exits were skipped by the current signage. "We're just trying to call out the falls... and also the downtown, historic shopping district," he said. Commissioners encouraged continued outreach and asked staff to keep them updated once WSDOT identifies a decision‑maker.
City staff said they would return with a clearer policy and inventory of the single‑blade signs and with a plan to pursue WSDOT sign additions.
