New gateway signage costs covered by federal grant funding

Council awarded a $102,185 contract for Prince Edward County and Picton gateway signs which will be paid for with federal grant funding.

Council approved the contract with Scott Wentworth Landscape, the lowest tender by more than half, of the highest bidder, at Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

The current project includes a single Gateway sign in Carrying Place and a single downtown Picton gateway sign, and the intent is to complete other entry points and downtown gateways as grant or other funding opportunities allow.

Trevor Crowe, Community Development Coordinator, stated in his report that staff are continuing to work with downtown BIAs, the Ministry of Transportation and other funders for future replacement of old signage.

These two signs were combined as the Picton BIA also received federal grant funds for the replacement of a gateway sign for Picton. The work is to be completed in the spring of this year.

The ability to combine the two signs realized economies of scale, said Crowe, resulting in the call for tender that included both projects.

The new gateway signage aligns with the recently-adopted County signage plan designed to create a degree of consistency for all signage types across the County.

“This new signage not only creates a sense of arrival for visitor and residents, it also creates a consistent family of signs between County gateways and downtown gateways,” said Crowe in his report.

The new signage family was presented and approved to council in Oct 2018.

“The designs celebrate the historical elements of the County that are reflected in the recently adopted County brand. The designs have received input from the Heritage Advisory Committee, BIA’s and Business Associations. The designs were part of a recent 2019 EDCO award for best Planning and Strategic Development.”

Click here for further background on the municipal signage project