Signs on 30A - here's the new plan

My 2 cents

While this area is absolutely unique in many ways, we should look to the countless other areas in the US that share similarities- scenic route, ocean/mountain area, proud and protective locals, business owners who want to tastefully promote the area, etc.

I am thinking about areas like Hilton Head, Wine Country, Aspen, Malibu/Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, etc.

What have they done? Or arguably more important- what have they NOT done?



They did not litter their area with signs. (And off topic) They did not call their area "THE Lake", "THE Mountains"...

I am all for supporting local businesses and keeping the funds in the area but if we want to commission a firm to help us sign (or promote) our scenic area we should find someone who has already done it successfully in one of the areas I mentioned so we can validate their expected results. I get the impression we are working with firms experienced in marketing realtors, restaurants, art fairs, etc.

As far as sign designs-
so many of us say that we should just go with the old design. But this opinion seems to be written off because we “fear change” or “prefer what is familiar to us”. While this might be true for some it isn’t for me. I moved here less than a year and a half ago and I never saw the old design until recently when I saw the pic on this thread-

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=23228&highlight=signs

So the design was new to me and it is a NO BRAINER for this area...

I think the fact that it is the “old design” is its only liability and I wish this design would be presented with the others and viewed for face value. It is better in every way than any other candidates I have seen…

BTW-
No disrespect intended to anyone who put their heart, soul and hard work into bike paths, signage, scenic designation…

G

I am puzzled how we could spend so much money and time on this sign issue but we can't implement a recycling program that works.

Apparently the realtor logo is still being used for signs up and down Scenic 30A. THIS after Comm Meadows office was informed that they were using a commercial logo and they were "SHOCKED" to learn that they were about to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money promoting a realtor, and said that the design would be changed.

Accompanying the article below was the same graphic from the 1st post in this thread.

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/signs_2307___article.html/30a_highway.html

Last April, after several local residents protested the look and installation of the blue signs on Scenic Highway 30A, the Tourist Development Council decided to remove the signs. It was decided the wayfinding signs would remain until they could be redesigned.

"We're leaving up the wayfinding signs until we can find an agreed upon alternative," said Executive Director of Tourist Development Sonny Mares

After County Road 30A received the scenic highway designation, the Friends of 30A was formed to assist the TDC with new directional signage.

"Our board is waiting for positive action," said Mares. "We are willing to work with the Friends of 30A to create a new design for the signs."

As part of the scenic highway designation, six Florida Department of Transportation Florida Scenic Highway signs will be placed at the entrance points to Scenic Highway 30A, according to Tracy Louthain, director of public relations and visitor services for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council

The Friends of 30A are holding regular meeting and working with local citizen organization and government entities to begin implementing the Corridor Management Plan, according to Louthain.

Among the goals of the CMP include improving directional signs along Timpoochee Trail and Point Washington State Park, while removing repetitive non-conforming signage. Safety signs are anticipated to be installed along the bike path this winter, according to Louthain.

It has been suggested that the new designs for the wayfinding signs resemble the new Timpoochee Trail signs, which are currently being fabricated, according to Mares.

"Our timeline depends on outside forces," said Mares. "We're anxious to resolve these issues."

The next Friends of 30A meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Bayou Arts Center of Walton County on County Road 393N.

For more information, contact Commissioner Cindy Meadows' office at (850) 622-3059 or meacindy@co.walton.fl.us.

So is the logo going to be changed or not?

I noticed to day on the way to work that the first of the signs are going up. It's the 4 mile marker - near the old Salty Dog building

I'll now be able to Wayfind my way to the coming fast food drive-thru's in SoWal.

next up - let's get some go-kart trax, and raise da roof on building height restrictions -

let's kill the goose

Legal issues aside-

I'm more concerned that the signage and its color, materials, size, graphics, placement, etc. are done tastefully/aesthetically/appropriately for our area

than I am

that the logo resembles that of a local realtor...

Those of us who now know that the realtor's logo was there first might think that the signage is promoting a realtor. But over time this will easily fade. The logo on the signs will come to be recognized as the symbol of the area and the realtor's logo will just appear as if it followed that logo (rather than the other way around) as if to declare- we are a realtor that services this area.

Get er done...

I would think from a marketing stand point that the Realtor would go for a new design. Otherwise to the first time visitor you look like a plagiarist with no imagination what so ever. That in and of itself doesn't exactly scream I'll sell your house.

The signs I saw yesterday are a good size and cute - didn't really notice a logo, but they are only partially installed.

BTW, quite the shock to see a cute little sign, then one of the Big Blue Monsters - when are those going buh-bye again?

They are up here on the western end of 30-a...i don't mind them, but they seem to homogenize 30-a...like 30-a is one big Sandestin....not a complaint...just a thought.

They are up here on the western end of 30-a...i don't mind them, but they seem to homogenize 30-a...like 30-a is one big Sandestin....not a complaint...just a thought.

i've lived with them for another day and they are growing on me...they are visible ...but not obtrusive...and i like how the stripes, although quirky, break up the line of the poles.

Just another opinion - Every time I see the signs, I instantly think of Willy Wonka. Gotta get that out of my head somehow....

Has anyone seen one with a logo? We were very specifically told at the charette that no logo signs were to be part of phase 1.

The problem with the realtor's logo being used is that the county doesn't have control over how that logo is used in the future. If the county is going to use the logo, it needs to secure exclusive use of the logo, imho.

No logo seen yet, but I've only seen the mileage markers and the "caution vehicle crossing ones" and believe there are several more types to be installed.

Definitely agree that if we do have a logo, it needs to be our exclusive logo.