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Council approves citywide wayfinding design; selects hybrid concept shaped by community feedback
Summary
After community engagement and review by the Community Livability & Public Safety committee, the council approved a hybrid wayfinding design (Concept 4) for downtown and West Olympia that combines elements from earlier concepts and refines vandalism-resistant features and colors.
The Olympia City Council approved the citywide wayfinding master plan signage design concept known as Concept 4, a hybrid design shaped by public and committee feedback.
Kelli Persbrosset, the city’s strategic communications director, and consultants from Tangram Design LLC presented three initial concepts and a combined Concept 4. Tangram principal George Lim, designer Anna Giuliano and lead consultant Matthew DeLayde described Concept 4 as combining the information organization of Concept 1 with softened edges and water-inspired forms from Concept 3. The design team said they eliminated a double‑pole option to reduce trash trapping and added a blue stripe on the pole to strengthen a water association.
Designers told the council the concepts were shaped by stakeholder sessions, a community survey and a review by the Community Livability & Public Safety Committee (CLPS). Tangram said the selected hybrid took CLPS feedback into account by simplifying some visual elements, improving durability and addressing vandalism concerns on interpretive panels.
Council members raised legibility and neighborhood-branding questions. Council member Green asked about contrast on light-blue panels in rainy conditions; Tangram said final color and contrast choices will be refined during design development. Council member Madrone asked that commonly used proper names be used on signs (for example, the Washington Center). Council member Gilman and others emphasized coordination with Public Works for siting and safety.
Mayor Pro Tem Nguyen moved and the council voted to approve Concept 4 as the design direction for the wayfinding master plan. The motion passed; council directed staff to proceed to final master plan work and develop specifications and a phased procurement plan tied to budget availability.
City staff said the work will move to the transportation team to map sign locations, produce technical specifications and package bids; the city manager indicated staff will return to the council with budget estimates and phase recommendations to implement the signage through bidding or phased purchases.
