1 / 13

Visitor Signage In Sonoma Valley: Issues and Opportunities

Visitor Signage In Sonoma Valley: Issues and Opportunities. Reliance of Sonoma Valley’s economy on tourism Sonoma’s location as wine country “gateway” to visitors from S.F. (1 of 4 visitors take a day trip out of the City) and greater Bay Area

shelley
Download Presentation

Visitor Signage In Sonoma Valley: Issues and Opportunities

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Visitor Signage In Sonoma Valley: Issues and Opportunities

  2. Reliance of Sonoma Valley’s economy on tourism Sonoma’s location as wine country “gateway” to visitors from S.F. (1 of 4 visitors take a day trip out of the City) and greater Bay Area Signage serves multiple purposes including: drawing vehicular traffic into the community welcoming visitors; lets them know they’ve arrived promoting community identity; reinforcing the “brand” directing vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic around the community helping visitors find parking, restrooms, attractions, etc. Effective signage can help to support: visitor volume and likelihood of repeat visits amount they spend here. Why Signage Matters

  3. When the City’s top tax generators were surveyed in 2009, they identified “improved signage to help visitors find their way to Sonoma Valley and around Sonoma Valley” as the number one way that local government can help their business succeed.

  4. National studies show that less than 10% of visitors stop at an information center. An estimated 10% - 30% of drivers use GPS (increasingly via smart phones!) Visitors Centers and thegrowing use of GPS help, but …

  5. Sonoma Valley’s existing signage was put in place by local government, business organizations, and service organizations. • “City limits” signage (in some locations combined with Sister City signs and Bicycle Friendly Community signs) • Service club gateway sign on south Broadway • Historical location signage in the downtown • Caltrans vehicular directional signs

  6. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Association (SVVGA) maintains an extensive system of winery directional signage (“finger signs”) throughout the valley for its members.

  7. Recent Improvements:Improved visitor-oriented signage has been a priority for the SVVB… • “Welcome” signs at northern and southern ends of the valley • Directional billboard on Hwy 37 • Second visitors center, located at the southern gateway (Cornerstone) • Questions included in upcoming visitor survey

  8. …and for the Economic Development Partnership • Pedestrian-oriented wayfinding signage program around the Plaza periphery (EDAC/CDA) • Plaza parking directional signage improvements (EDAC/CDA) • Welcome banners for Plaza light poles and year-round banner program (EDAC/City/Chamber)

  9. Additional Signage Improvements under consideration: • Economic Development Manager is working with the City’s Traffic Engineer and Caltrans to identify steps needed to add cross-street signage to the traffic signal mast-arms along Highway 12 • Plans for a bike route signage system are underway, with consideration for inclusion of local landmarks (City) • City has been asked to include Cittaslow designation on its signage • The Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) is currently considering adding some type of identity/welcome signage to the existing arch located at its southern “gateway”. • The RAC is also considering developing a more comprehensive wayfinding signage program for the Springs.

  10. Benefits of a Coordinated Signage Plan • Identifies and fills in gaps • Ties together and builds upon existing signage • Reduces confusion, redundancy, and sign clutter • Promotes the Valley as a destination; unified “brand” • Opportunity to provide community “identity” signage within the Valley, e.g. the Springs, downtown, etc.

  11. Examples

  12. Recommendation • That the EDAC take a lead role in coordinating the development of a signage plan for Sonoma Valley. • Vehicular wayfinding and Gateway/Identity • Possibly bicycling and pedestrian components as well • Incorporating elements of existing signage where feasible and desirable. • Options include a joint RFQ (Request for Qualifications) and/or a working group.

  13. Funding • Potential funding sources include City redevelopment, Springs redevelopment, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, and/or local businesses. • Implementation of plan could be phased over time.

More Related