Oak Ridge council keeps $30,000 for main park entrance sign, asks Parks & Rec to develop wayfinding budget

Council approved holding $30,000 in year 1 of the CIP for a new main entrance sign for the town park and instructed Parks & Rec to develop a budget and options for additional wayfinding signage across park properties. The signage discussion drew attention to monument-sign foundation requirements, aesthetics and wayfinding needs for visitors.

Parks & Rec described needs ranging from a $30,000 primary sign at the corner of Lisa and Lynnville to smaller directional signs that can cost a few hundred dollars apiece. One councilmember noted recent local engineering requirements for monument signs that can increase foundation costs and said their recent monument sign cost nearly $10,000 just for the footing and engineered work. "Signage is expensive," a speaker said, and the council agreed to budget the $30,000 for the main entrance and ask Parks & Rec to return with a comprehensive wayfinding proposal and cost estimates for the remaining pieces.

Council amended earlier line items to separate the main entrance sign cost from the broader sign package and asked Parks & Rec to come back with designs and a proposed budget. Staff will also determine which smaller directional signs can be delivered within lower CIP thresholds and which require higher-level construction budgets.