New big blue signs in SoWal

[NoHall]

How in the hail we ever found our way around 30A without signs, I'll never know. :roll:

To the dawgs... I don't believe most people are against a modicum of signs, it was the unfortunate design and color that was disturbing.

Fear not. We won't rest until the last of the wayfinding(directional) signs are down later in the season. This issue will not go away until they are replaced with with more suitable designs that are in harmony with the Scenic route and feeder roads.

There is a need for directional signs and it won't hurt to endure them for a handful of months longer. We will be working right away (next week) with the TDC on creating a joint task force to reach consensus on signage for the bike path, town designation and wayfinding signs. The important thing right now is the TDC agreed to take all of them down within the year and believe me, we won't let this issue die; how could we? We have to look at the damn things every day we ride down the road.

Dave Rauschkolb

Really? For once, I'm not trying to be a smart-aleck (so enjoy it while you can.) I always thought the signs that said "Welcome to Blue Mountain...Santa Rosa...etc." were interesting, but I can't say that they were crucial to tourist survival. My beginnings in SoWal were at Gulf Trace. If I needed to go to Goatfeathers, the name "Dune Allen" never came up. It was "Go west on 30A, and it's on the right, down a ways." Stinky's is further west on 30A. Flip Flops is past Seaside on the left, going east. The only time tourists I know give a cat butt about where they are is when they tell their friends back home, "Oh...I stayed in Blue Mountain/Seacrest/Rosemary Beach/Whatever." (It was only in the last few years we didn't call all of SoWal "Destin." Seriously.)

To me, a dumb tourist, those signs are pure fluff. In the case of the Big Blues, they're ugly fluff. At least the old ones were quaint.

But this is just my humble, dogmatic opinion. I'm open to other opinions on the matter.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Looks like some sore losers are seeing red

 

[Teresa]

Fear not. We won't rest until the last of the wayfinding(directional) signs are down later in the season. This issue will not go away until they are replaced with with more suitable designs that are in harmony with the Scenic route and feeder roads.

There is a need for directional signs and it won't hurt to endure them for a handful of months longer. We will be working right away (next week) with the TDC on creating a joint task force to reach consensus on signage for the bike path, town designation and wayfinding signs. The important thing right now is the TDC agreed to take all of them down within the year and believe me, we won't let this issue die; how could we? We have to look at the damn things every day we ride down the road.

Dave Rauschkolb

Dave: I for one believe you wholeheartedly. the signs will be removed and replaced with new ones. I agree - the directional signs are a good idea.

 

[Smiling JOe]

What a large turn out. I was a little shocked at Mary Brown's complaint that prior to the signs it drove people into her business.

Isn't Mary Brown in the real estate/rental business? That just sounds so wrong, but hey, I guess that mentality can help our her competition. I would love for tourists to walk into my business all day, asking about directions, maps, rentals, restaurant recommendations, etc. One day, they might want to actually buy from me. Wow! imagine building your business and helping people at the same time. As the How to be a Redneck guy says, "Bless her heart."

 

[swantree]

good job to all

 

[Smiling JOe]

I am reading that Mary Brown wants to lower the signs to the "correct" height. Is that correct? We were told at the other workshop meeting that the tall signs were built to the MUTCD code heights which require the lowest portion of the legend of the sign to be at 7ft in height. So, I ask Mary Brown, what is the correct height, if the signs are not already at the correct height?

 

[pk305]

THANKS to ALL who have been working so hard to get these results today!
Your efforts are greatly appreciated!!

Very excited!!
THANK YOU!!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I don't know how in the world the tourists are supposed to find their way through the labyrinth that is 30A. South: Gulf of Mexico. North: Not the beach. East: Panama City. West: Sandestin. Everything else is within sight of 30A, or it's a residential area. It's not like those are big blue Hospital signs.

(Those look like this, by the way

Even in my early days as a tourist there, I was able to find what I needed without any giant theme-park looking signs.

Good point, NoHall. Mary Brown and Red Dawg seem concerned with the foot-traffic entering their business but not buying anything, and not looking for their rental home. Mary says that these people are coming from other areas like Panama City, so they need signs to direct them to ..... ??? I don't get it. If they are not staying here, why do they need to know where Seacrest "Beach" is located? Also, when they stop in for directions, where are they looking to go? The Beaches of South Walton?

 

[Smiling JOe]

For anyone who may be mislead by Mary Brown, who says that the tourists need the signs, I will remind you of the TDC's Mission Statement. Take note of the bold text, and notice it is the first listed.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Walton County TDC is to direct and manage activities that will strengthen the position of the Beaches of South Walton County brand in the tourism marketplace, to manage and maintain our beaches as a primary attraction and as a responsible industry organization to take a leadership role in addressing issues that affect tourism and the quality of life in Walton County.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Looks like some sore losers are seeing red

They don't call him Red Dawg for nothing. I just wish he would select a name like orange tiger, or Crimson Elephant. He is disgracing a good name.