STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Glasgow’s Historic Preservation Commission is exploring new street sign designs to help the city’s historic district stand out and make it easier to recognize.
Commissioners spent part of their April 9 meeting reviewing examples and talking about how a coordinated look could highlight downtown’s character. This is part of a larger commission conversation that explores possible ways to make the city’s historic district more widely known, especially for prospective property owners as there are additional steps needed to remodel, or improve the look, of a building in the district.
Public Works reviewed current street maps and overlaid the historic district boundaries and indicated there are approximately 36 street signs within the district that could be candidates for updated designs. Members looked at a variety of samples, including cast signs and more traditional aluminum styles with decorative elements, and talked about how easy the different styles would be to read by drivers.
Several members suggested starting with new signs on and around the downtown square, then expanding outward as money becomes available. They also discussed options such as repainting existing metal posts or, if funding allows, eventually replacing some posts with more decorative versions to match the new signs.
The commission’s conversation also turned to possible funding partners. The Downtown Business Association recently discussed looking for a project to support and may be able to contribute some money toward the signs, according to commission chair Tim Gooden. Commissioners also mentioned other local beautification and business groups that might be interested in helping pay for the work, such as the nonprofit Beautify Barren County.
Members said they would like to have cost estimates on sign designs and posts by their next meeting, which is May 14, with the longer-term goal of helping visitors and property owners more easily identify the historic district.
They also talked about future possibilities such as plaques or QR-coded markers on historic buildings, but those ideas are still in the discussion stage.
Key Facts
• Historic Preservation Commission met April 9 in Glasgow
• Members reviewed sample street sign designs for the historic district
• Public Works estimate identified about 36 signs in the district
• Panel discussed possibly starting with signs around the downtown square
• Members talked about seeking community partners to help fund the project
• Commission plans to gather pricing information before its next meeting
