Township hopes signs spruce up area

(by Sean Lehosit, Staff Writer - November 24, 2010)

The City of Columbus Department of Development is working closely with the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC), a non-profit organization which interacts with Central Ohio municipalities to better enhance their neighborhood’s architecture and visual allure.

The NDC has proposed a three phase process where they hope to produce designs for gateway signage to both Franklin Township and the Southwest Area Commission area.
Once the signage is completed the organization will be presenting their designs to both areas to propose adoption.

“Then we can pursue some kind of funding,” Project Manager Ben Weiner said, later adding that the funding ultimately comes from monies already set aside by the federal government.

Representatives from the NDC were present at the Nov. 10 Franklin Township meeting, to begin the first phase of their project by collecting input from local residents and to survey the township on what they would want in the way of designs.

“We’re here really to hear from everyone who’s here,” said NDC Executive Director Al Berthold, “some perceptions of what this township is like, because the signage is generally based on the local situation – what is famous here, what is important here, what are the things people honestly think represent what the township is.”

“So, really we’re just looking for suggestions as far as themes, colors, materials we could use,” Maggie Grady added.

Trustee Chairman Timothy Guyton commented that most people would agree that Franklin Township, as spread as it is, is the gateway to the Westside and therefore, the signage should be prominent.

Additionally, the main suggestion which residents brought forward was that they thought the main entrances to the township should be the locations where prominent signs should be placed.

The NDC still has to meet with the Southwest Area Commission at their Dec. 15 meeting at the New Christ Methodist Church on Harrisburg Pike, but once completed they will launch into the second phase of their project in January, bringing design alternatives forward to the public. The last phase will be to propose adoption.

Residents can voice their thoughts and opinions on the proposed gateway signs by completing the NDC survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z963B3Q

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