City approves $225,702 wayfinding contract amid questions about sign siting and project timelines

The Birmingham City Commission on June 8 approved a contract with ASI Signage Innovations not to exceed $225,702 for phase two of the city’s wayfinding program, which will add medium and small identification and directional signs and four additional kiosks across the city.

Planning Director Nick Dewy described the package as phase two of a multiyear rollout. Phase two includes 14 signs—four kiosk signs (wayfinding kiosks with “you are here” maps, quarter‑mile walk radii and QR codes) plus medium identification and directional signs along Maple, Old Woodward and other entrances into downtown. The city budgeted $260,000 for the year and recommended a contract not to exceed $225,702 from that account.

Commission discussion ranged from siting specifics to vendor schedule and contract remedies. Commissioner Hay asked about vandalism and structural details for the tall spire elements; Dewy said the contractor had addressed breakaway and mounting details during phase one and that the kiosk fabrication is now routine. Several commissioners asked for the wayfinding committee and staff to double‑check specific kiosk placements—particularly at the Main/Pierce, Chester Street garage and the library/Shane Park locations—and to meet with merchants and property owners before installation.

Commissioner Kazowski voted no; all other commissioners voted yes. The mayor asked staff to share kiosk location plans with the wayfinding committee and return with a final site selection prior to fabrication. Dewy said kiosk fabrication takes substantial lead time but assured the commission the phase two kiosks would not take years as phase one did.

Action: The commission approved the contract (roll call vote: 5 yes, 1 no). Staff will finalize exact kiosk locations with the wayfinding committee and provide updates on fabrication schedule and any MDOT permitting needed for signs on state rights‑of‑way.