Board hears update on downtown wayfinding grant, RFP and phased signage plan

Staff briefed the board on a multi‑phase wayfinding grant and implementation plan. Phase 1 targets downtown pedestrian and parking signage; Phase 2 targets downtown vehicular signage pointing drivers toward downtown and the welcome center. Staff said an RFP for the work is open and that the RFP deadline for proposals is September 9. She described the sign types (pedestrian maps, parking wayfinding placards, and larger vehicular callouts) and said Main Street is contributing staff time to the project and may pursue supplemental grants, including an Anna Shree grant that the staff described as a $10,000 award (it had previously been $5,000 in earlier years).

Board members asked whether distant sites such as a sports complex or outlying camp would be part of the initial phases; staff confirmed phases 1 and 2 focus on the historic downtown district while later phases could expand signage farther out. Staff said she will continue coordinating the RFP and bring contractor proposals and a budget recommendation back to the board after the September deadline.

Next steps: staff will monitor RFP responses, report back with proposals and budgets after the September 9 closing date, and continue to pursue supplemental grant funding where appropriate.