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BID pursues street redesigns, façade work and artist-designed logo as downtown updates progress
Summary
Board members reviewed street and sidewalk redesigns, a new wayfinding sign design with the LED element removed to stay under budget, ongoing façade improvement projects and a call for artist submissions to design a BID logo; the board approved the logo call by voice vote.
The Downtown Business Improvement District received updates on multiple downtown projects — street redesigns, a new wayfinding sign, façade improvements and a public call for artist-designed BID logos — and voted to solicit artist submissions for branding.
Julian Oviedovsky, president of the Downtown Business Improvement District, said work on Zaragoza Street is nearly complete, the board is preparing to go out to bid on the H Street project (a street reconfiguration and sidewalk work), and crews will add planter boxes and trees to narrow wide travel lanes and provide more shade for pedestrians. He said the redesign near the stadium will produce a net loss of one parking space but noted prior plaza work added parking overall.
The board reviewed the proposed wayfinding “meet-it”/Itch Street sign. Members said they removed a planned LED display to keep the monument within budget; the LED element would have added roughly $40,000 per side, and board members agreed to keep a simpler, non-LED design that could be upgraded later.
Board members praised a new façade improvement that will be unveiled May 8 and said two additional façade grants were approved. The group discussed protective clear coatings for street-level murals to make graffiti removal easier and noted some buildings receive frequent tagging; one board member said the clear protective clamshell coverings used on other buildings help make removal easier.
The board discussed temporary artwork on boarded windows as a low-cost way to improve appearances at vacant properties and said vinyl or printed panels used elsewhere could be replicated downtown.
On an action item, the board adopted a motion to call for submissions from local artists for a BID logo and related artwork that could appear on vests, materials and online. The motion passed by voice vote; the board discussed using a public survey or social media to gather community input on final designs.
No schedule for construction milestones or a final sign-unveiling date was provided during the meeting.
