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Colfax council backs a downtown signage review and forms application process for a design committee
Summary
Council directed staff to set up a standing signage committee (two council members plus seven at-large) and to circulate an application email and deadline (Jan. 19) after hearing a presentation from signage firm Back to the Drawing Board and downtown stakeholders urging a coordinated brand and more readable wayfinding signs.
After a presentation from Back to the Drawing Board, the Colfax City Council on Dec. 10 directed staff to begin a fast-track process to form a downtown signage and branding committee.
Consultant Kat Wilson described large three-dimensional signage and eye-catching storefront treatments her firm has produced in tourist locations such as Pier 39 and other historic downtowns. "You really only have max 3 seconds to capture somebody enough when they're driving by," Wilson said, arguing that stronger visuals entice visitors to stop and explore (SEG 1180–1183).
Council and business representatives agreed the town needs a unified brand and more visible wayfinding signs. Erin Newington of the Historic Colfax Downtown Association said the group had already completed some outreach and mockups and asked to be part of the effort. Mayor Pro Tem Caroline McCulley described problems with the existing "candy cane" signs — pale backgrounds and small fonts — and proposed replacing them with reflective, higher-contrast signage emphasizing "Shop" and "Dine." (SEG 2463–2475, SEG 2500–2506).
Councilmember Burris proposed forming a standing committee of nine members (two council members plus seven at-large), with a short application (cover letter and resume or statement) and a deadline for submissions ahead of appointments at the second January meeting. Staff was directed to set up a committee email address, post notice on the city website, distribute notices to downtown businesses and partner organizations, and print flyers for direct distribution; the council set Jan. 19 as an application cutoff. Councilmembers emphasized a public process with workshops and business involvement.
The council also discussed the merits of creating a brand first and then applying signage, rather than adopting sign designs in isolation. Erin Newington told council the downtown association had been working on branding and suggested the sign effort be understood as part of a broader marketing strategy (SEG 2740–2760). The council asked staff to bring committee materials back for appointment at a January meeting.
What's next: staff will create the email, post the application process, distribute notices to downtown businesses and appoint the committee at a future January meeting.
