Committee advances proposal for commemorative "Stan Zukin Way" signs on Walnut Street

A committee proposal to place commemorative signs honoring businessman and downtown preservation advocate Stan Zukin on a short block of Walnut Street won unanimous committee support to move forward to the next step in the process.

A presenting committee member described Zukin’s role in downtown revitalization dating to the 1960s and said the borough’s downtown foundation awarded him a legacy award in 2023. The presenter described a proposed pocket dedication from Prescott Alley to Gay Street and asked that a small commemorative sign be placed at the location where Thatcher’s Drugstore once stood.

The presenter told the committee the proposed signs would use the borough’s wayfinding colors so they match existing signage, that the signs cost about $40 each and that public works could install them. The presenter also said a policy proposal is attached to the item to set criteria and prevent a proliferation of commemorative signs; the draft policy includes criteria such as 10 years of community service and municipal benefit.

Committee members supported moving the item forward and asked staff to include the commemorative‑sign policy language when advancing the measure. The solicitor advised that a resolution or proclamation would be sufficient to authorize the commemorative signs rather than a full ordinance.

The committee voted three‑zero to move the proposal and the accompanying draft policy to the work session for additional comment and potential placement on the full council agenda.

No sign installation occurred at the meeting; committee members asked staff to solicit Merge and public works input about sign type and placement and to include the policy language in the work session presentation.