Town of Clayton planners approve downtown banner plan, set $100 sponsorship

Presiding official (unnamed) told the Town of Clayton planning commission that the town will move forward with a downtown wayfinding banner program, ordering hardware and mounting 12 banners on existing Duke Energy utility poles.

Consultant and commissioners said the banners will be staged and roughly equally spaced through the downtown business district, with suggested locations including the corner of Michigan and Iowa (near Lambert Park), the block from the bank toward the old tractor shop on 500 South/Amo Road, and other prominent intersections. Commissioners indicated the town will use existing utility poles and order new brackets rather than install new poles.

Commissioner (unnamed) said the town previously appropriated money to cover hardware this year and that the next step is plotting pole locations; “Well go ahead and get those ordered,” the commissioner said. On financing, the commission agreed on a $100 one-time sponsorship per business, which the commission said should offset about 50% of a banners cost while the town covers the remainder. The commission discussed creating a sponsorship application on the town website so sponsors can request preferred pole locations.

Officials set a target to have the project completed and presented at the June meeting. No formal permitting was required for the chosen approach because the banners will attach to Duke Energy poles, the presiding official said.

Next steps: staff and commissioners will map target poles, finalize bracket and hardware orders, and launch the sponsorship application process.