If Elk Grove Can't Launch 'Wayfinding Signs' On Time, What of Soccer, Aquatics Facilities?

October 10, 2015 | Amidst Elk Grove's grand proposals for an animal shelter, new senior center, Veterans hall, civic center, Whitel...

October 10, 2015 |

Amidst Elk Grove's grand proposals for an animal shelter, new senior center, Veterans hall, civic center, Whitelock Parkway interchange, soccer fields, County Fair grounds, soccer stadium and an aquatics center featuring an only-in-the-region 10-meter diving platform, there is one project that as of May 2015 was scheduled for completion this month that is languishing.

The project we are referring to of course are the wayfinding signs. This is the project the Elk Grove City Council, led by Mayor Gary Davis, approved  saying it was an amenity that was urgently needed to direct the throngs of out-of-town visitors expected to flood the city for their holiday weekends after the launch of the #InElkGrove tourist program.
The City of Elk Grove's $340,000 wayfinding sign project 
was supposed to have replaced signs like this one found on
Elk Grove Boulevard and Laguna Springs Drive by the end 
October 2015. 

According to a staff report presented to the city council at their May 27, 2015 meeting, they directed the city staff in September 2014 to put out to bid a contract for 38 "robust" signs to be placed throughout the city. After accepting a responsible bid, the staff report goes on to say that "Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2015 assuming no complications with the contract execution process. The contract allows 100 working days to complete the required work. The work is expected to be complete by the end of October 2015."

For those unfamiliar with the project, it was conceived in late 2011, if not earlier, and as a follow-up, the city held workshops in January 2012 - almost four years ago. In June 2012, the project was included in the capital improvement project for the city's fiscal year 2013 budget and $340,000 was appropriated.

“Often the first interaction between a visitor and a city is a sign,” former Elk Grove Economic Development Director Randy Starbuck said in a December 11, 2012, press release.  “A good signage program can play a major role in letting someone know that Elk Grove is a vibrant, business-friendly, well-managed and easily navigated place.”

From our observations of a few but not all of the planned locations for the signs, there does not appear to be any activity that would suggest construction has started on installation of the signs. As we are one-third of the way through the month, it does not seem likely that construction will be completed by the end of October 2015 as was promised in the staff reported referenced above. Additionally, the city's capital improvement page does not list the wayfinding signs project. 

Though the wayfinding signs scheduled for completion by month's end is relatively small in the grand scheme of capital improvement projects, it is demonstrative of the nature of projects. 

First, a relatively simple plan that is entirely financed by the city will have taken at least four years or longer from conception to birth. A rather long gestation period for a small project.

How long will it take for any of the city's large projects that have infinitely more moving parts that also require outside financing? Can we expect the large projects to take as long as the wayfinding signs, or perhaps longer as we have seen with the now delayed aquatics center where the city contracted with a questionable vendor who they are now suing?

Given the city's performance on the wayfinding sign project, the more important question we as taxpayers need to ask our city council is this - outside any financing questions, which is a whole other issue, does the Elk Grove City Manager Laura Gill and her staff possess the skills and ability to manage so many expensive and major projects in a timely, on-budget manner?

If Gill and her staff aren't up to the task, hold onto your wallets!

Proposed locations of wayfinding signs in Elk Grove. Click to enlarge. 














http://patch.com/california/elkgrove/op-ed-elk-grove-wayfinding-signage-meeting-was-a-fiasco 


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11 comments

GPS said...

Could the delay be a case of buyer's remorse? The overkill in signage will surely trigger an onslaught of complaints once they are standing tall in their cluttered glory. The political problem with an apathetic community is you can get your pet projects through easier, but once up, you are at the mercy of public opinion after you have spent their tax dollars.

Anonymous said...

Yea and what happened with the art work that was to be placed on the utility boxes...nothing more about that. Just some more project fustercluck gathering dust somewhere while they think up another feasibility study on something. Those consultants have got to be making a bundle off of us. Oh well, easy come, easy go!

Anonymous said...


Shows the low brow mediocrity of this city.

Just what we need - more signs!

Can we get more new houses too?

And some more places to eat crappy food?

And traffic!

Too much emphasis on sports, unhealthy eating, spending and mindless entertainment.

Too little emphasis on academics, class, culture, innovation and commerce.

Elk Grove; Modesto north

Anonymous said...

$340,000 in the 2013 budget for the signs? This is 2 1/2 years later and most likely will be much more costly, perhaps the reason for the delay. Or could be estimates were miscalulated. We have a hugh problem with estimates!!! Also seems our council has a problem concentrating on any one project after the vote. Our Mayors obsession with TX or HHC tweets oft times gets in the way of city business too. Someone give him a hug, this is costing us dearly.

Forks and Spoons said...

I'll give that fruitcake a hug!

Ice Rink said...

Do you know the way to Elk Grove
I've been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way
Do you know the way to Elk Grove
I'm going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose

Sacto is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star
Weeks turn into years. How quick they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas

You can really breathe in Elk Grove
They've got a lot of space.
There'll be a place where I can stay
I was born and raised in Elk Grove
I'm going back to find some peace of mind in Elk Grove

Fame and fortune is a magnet
It can pull you far away from home
With a dream in your heart you're never alone
Dreams turn into dust and blow away
And there you are without a friend
You pack your car and ride away

I've got lots of friends in Elk Grove
Do you know the way to Elk Grove

Roseville is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they'll make you a star
Weeks turn into years. How quick they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas

I've got lots of friends in Elk Grove
Do you know the way to Elk Grove
Can't wait to get back to Elk Grove

Anonymous said...

Moved out of Elk Grove 5 years ago. Never looked back. It's going in the shitter real quick! Can't stand it.

Kristyn Nelson said...

Hello EG News Readers, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on the sign project. Similar updates are included in the City Manager's biweekly report to Council.
While government moves a bit slower than most of us would like, it can be for good reason. Much of our delays can be often be attributed to the public contract code and state regulations. That being said, the signs mentioned are currently being fabricated, a process that takes 10-12 weeks minimum. The production process includes printing, review and approval to confirm that what is produced is in accordance with the signs ordered. This process is being overseen by our Public Works Department.
The contract allows 100 days to complete the work which would expire around the end of December. The contractor has indicated that installation of the foundations may occur later this month.
City staff is committed to completing this project with an end product our community can be proud of. Many of us live here too and want to ensure that the wayfinding program is a positive addition to the Elk Grove landscape that encourages both residents and visitors to explore areas of the City they may not venture to otherwise.
Thank you for sharing your comments on this platform and for giving me the opportunity to share this update with you.
Respectfully,
Kristyn Nelson
Public Affairs Manager
City of Elk Grove

P.S. Utility boxes are still in process as well. Bidding closed for these recently and contracting and work is in our future.

Kristyn Nelson said...

Hello EG News Readers, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on the sign project. Similar updates are included in the City Manager's biweekly report to Council.
While government moves a bit slower than most of us would like, it can be for good reason. Much of our delays can be often be attributed to the public contract code and state regulations. That being said, the signs mentioned are currently being fabricated, a process that takes 10-12 weeks minimum. The production process includes printing, review and approval to confirm that what is produced is in accordance with the signs ordered. This process is being overseen by our Public Works Department.
The contract allows 100 days to complete the work which would expire around the end of December. The contractor has indicated that installation of the foundations may occur later this month.
City staff is committed to completing this project with an end product our community can be proud of. Many of us live here too and want to ensure that the wayfinding program is a positive addition to the Elk Grove landscape that encourages both residents and visitors to explore areas of the City they may not venture to otherwise.
Thank you for sharing your comments on this platform and for giving me the opportunity to share this update with you.
Respectfully,
Kristyn Nelson
Public Affairs Manager
City of Elk Grove
knelson@elkgrovecity.org

P.S. Utility boxes are still in process as well. Bidding closed for these recently and contracting and work is in our future.

Kristyn Nelson said...

Hello EG News Readers, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on the sign project. Similar updates are included in the City Manager's biweekly report to Council.
While government moves a bit slower than most of us would like, it can be for good reason. Much of our delays can be often be attributed to the public contract code and state regulations. That being said, the signs mentioned are currently being fabricated, a process that takes 10-12 weeks minimum. The production process includes printing, review and approval to confirm that what is produced is in accordance with the signs ordered. This process is being overseen by our Public Works Department.
The contract allows 100 days to complete the work which would expire around the end of December. The contractor has indicated that installation of the foundations may occur later this month.
City staff is committed to completing this project with an end product our community can be proud of. Many of us live here too and want to ensure that the wayfinding program is a positive addition to the Elk Grove landscape that encourages both residents and visitors to explore areas of the City they may not venture to otherwise.
Thank you for sharing your comments on this platform and for giving me the opportunity to share this update with you.
Respectfully,
Kristyn Nelson
Public Affairs Manager
City of Elk Grove

P.S. Utility boxes are still in process as well. Bidding closed for these recently and contracting and work is in our future.

Anonymous said...

No point in getting excited about some little wayfinding signs that we've been hearing about for 3 years. The Civic Center project has been ongoing for 7+ years and it's not even mentioned anymore. We've turned the page again and are on to big and better things now...Olympics, MLS, Regal Theatres, Twitter, etc. and trying to figure out why those dang estimates never work out.

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