Elk Grove Unveils Proposed Waysigns at Public Workshops

One of the proposed waysigns.

In an effort to promote tourism and ease getting around town for visitors, the City of Elk Grove unveiled proposed waysigns at two public workshops yesterday.

The workshops, a joint effort by the city's public information, public works and economic development departments, were conducted to gather public input on a capital improvement project that the city council is considering.

"This is a starting point for discussion," Elk Grove public information officer Christine Brainerd said. "We want to hear from the community of what should be included."

According to information presented at the meeting, each waysign would cost anywhere from $600 to $1,500 and would be approximately six feet high by four feet wide. The city is also considering the placement of overhead electronic reader signs that would cost approximately $10,000 to $20,000 each.

The current proposal calls for about 47 waysigns and five electric reader signs throughout the city. City officials did not have an estimate of how much installation and other associated costs would be.

Some of the destinations proposed for inclusion are the Elk Grove Regional Park, Cosumnes Community Services District (CCSD) offices, city hall, libraries, senior center, post offices, Old Town, teen center and the Elk Grove Automall. The electronic signs would be used to direct traffic to events such as the Strauss Festival and for public safety messages such as Amber alerts.

One person attending the evening session asked if shopping centers would be included in the program. City economic development director Randy Starbuck said that when the Elk Grove Promenade is finished it would be included along with the automall, but not other shopping facilities.

"The automall is the largest single generator of taxes in the city," Starbuck noted.

Aside from seeking public input, Brainerd said city staff would also meet the CCSD, Elk Grove school officials and representatives from the automall. She said that the city council would probably hear the matter this spring.