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Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project

Economic Development

Economic Development Manager
Sarah Crosthwaite
scrosthwaite@johnstownco.gov
970-578-9612

Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project

Local Community Grows Here Johnstown Logo

Project History:

The Downtown Branding & Wayfinding project kicked off in June 2022 with the initial focus on creating a downtown brand that focused on celebrating and raising awareness of the historic community core, and a comprehensive community signage and wayfinding plan that helps navigate vehicles and pedestrians towards unique destinations and resources within the downtown. Together, the new downtown brand and wayfinding designs reinforced the history and character of Johnstown, while also helping to ground the Town’s continued potential for growth and economic development in a strong foundation of shared community values and history.


The new downtown brand was officially adopted by the Town Council in March 2023. The final Downtown Johnstown brand incorporates the feedback and direction we received from the community and stakeholders over the process of a year. The final brand also includes the new tagline “Local Grows Here,” with the option of adding different qualifiers like local business, connections, history, creativity, family, community, etc. to specifically identify the things the community would like to grow in the historic downtown district. The “Local Grows Here” tagline embraces the reality of community growth in a positive way, highlighting that encouraging growth that empowers and strengthens what is local and unique will set the historic downtown apart as a place that supports and encourages the growth of local businesses, entrepreneurs, and places where the community can come together.
 

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Project Status: On Hold

On March 5, 2024 the Mayor and Town Council pressed pause on the Downtown Wayfinding Project to fully re-evaluate the program. 

When will the re-engagement happen with the community and what will it entail?

The process will begin in late summer/early fall of 2024.  Feedback loops may include but are not limited to in-person surveys, workshops, community feedback forums, online surveys, etc. 

What does the pause mean for the community?

No further work will be completed. Work for Phase 1 of the project has been halted and no work will be completed until community input is received.  Phase 2 has not been awarded and will not be awarded until community re-engagement is complete.

What outreach was done previously?
Summary of Community Outreach efforts

 

Depicting Two Branding OptionsBrand week outreach summary
How was the final sign design made public?

The information was provided to Council in May of 2023 in the agenda packet.  In June of 2023, the downtown businesses were notified via email of the sign design.  The project update on the final design was included in the July edition of the Johnstown LOWDOWN newsletter sent to all utility customers of the Town. 

What was the project budget for Phase 1?

The Town initially budgeted $300,000 for the project.  Ad Light Group was awarded a contract of $404,496.17 to build and install three signs.  The 5% discretion was for unforeseen project costs.  These costs were related to electrical infrastructure that had to be improved, replaced, and/or upgraded within the Downtown plaza area and potentially the corner of Highway 60 and Parish Avenue. 

What elements are part of the proposed Phase 1?
  • Sculptural Johnstown J 
  • Curved Corner Gateway
  • Columnar Gateway
Sculptural J Curved Corner GatewayColumnar Gateway
What elements are part of the proposed Phase 2?
  • Auto Directional Signage
  • Pedestrian Digital Kiosk
  • Parking Destination Directional
Auto Directional SignagePedestrian Kiosk Signage ElectronicParking Signage
What is the Phase 2 Budget?

$1.2 million has been budgeted for fabrication and installation. No bids have been awarded and the project has been paused. 

Where will signs be located?

A google earth map has been created to illustrate the sign locations and type of sign to be installed.  Please reference the Wayfinding Plan for a comprehensive list of the types of signage and for examples of each type including sizing perimeters.

Google Earth Map of Signage Locations and Types

What is the total number of street signs to be replaced and/or new signs to be installed?
  • 32 Street Name Sign Replacements (50% of the project)
  • 20 New Signs Installed by Town (31% of the project)
  • 12 New Signs occurring when development happens with costs to be incurred by the developer (19% of project)
What other elements were included in the original proposal?
  • Linear Gateway Poles
  • Linear Gateway
  • Pedestrian Mini-Kiosk
  • Parking Stall Signs
  • Destination Signs (Large)
  • Parking Destination/Directional Signs
  • Trail Signs
  • Parking Entry/Destination Sign
  • Parish Park Entry Gateway Sign
  • Major Roadway Signs
  • Street Name Signs
  • Historic Signage - Building Mounted and Freestanding
  • Historic Parish House Sign
  • Historic Signage - Interpretive Photo Station

For examples of these signs, view the Downtown Johnstown Wayfinding Plan

Want to learn more about the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project?

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Check out the branding and signage plans below. 

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Phase 1 Wayfinding Signage

On Hold - Awaiting Community Feedback

A table describing the various types of signage that are to be installed throughout downtown Johnstown during Phase 1 of the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project.
Phase 2 Wayfinding Signage

On Hold - Awaiting Community Feedback

A table describing the various types of signage that could be installed throughout downtown Johnstown during Phase 2 of the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project.
Phase 3 Wayfinding Signage

On Hold - Awaiting Community Feedback

A table describing the various types of signage that could be installed throughout downtown Johnstown during Phase 3 of the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Project.
Future Wayfinding Signage

On Hold - Awaiting Community Feedback

A table describing the various types of signage that could be installed throughout downtown Johnstown following the completion of all Phase 3 signage projects.