By: Shalisha Bynoe
Palatka, FL — Mayor Robbi Correra, along with Commissioners Tammie McCaskill, Will Jones, and Rufus Borom, convened for a biweekly meeting at City Hall on February 13 and greenlit the hiring of a business for the Wayfinding Project.
Terry Turner, under her company CHW Professional Consultants, presented a proposal for the installation of wayfinding signs in the Historic District of Palatka. The agreement stipulates one sign per pole, with the city providing an aluminum pole. The proposed fee for services is not to exceed $6,500, covering Reid Street and Crill Avenue. CHW Professional Consultants will manage permits, collaborate with the city on sign design, and provide construction details.
“The scope is for a total of 12 signs for each location,” states Turner. “They do a conceptual phase plan and then a Final Phase plan. Some elements and artifacts associated with a conceptual drawing are a site plan, designed speed, and adjacent roadways in a community aesthetic agreement.”
Turner highlights that while the state of Florida has given its approval, final consent is required from Mayor Correra and the Board of Commissioners. She emphasizes the need for recognizable signs, particularly near the St. Johns River, to enhance safety for both travelers and locals.
Addressing different sign categories, Turner notes, “There are purpose signs. These are fairly generic amenities, so we’ve developed a program document that outlines the requirements for business. There’s a $75 fee for one sign.”
Assistant City Manager Johnathan Griffith addresses the complexities of creating the signs and expresses support for Turner’s proposal. “It’s more involved than submitting what a sign looks like,” says Griffith. “There’s some engineering that goes into the process. You have to look at the placement of the sign per DOT standards. The triangles have to comply. There are many things that we are not equipped to consider.”
Laurie Hall from CHW Professional Consultants adds that the project is billed hourly, suggesting potential cost savings. She mentions that minimizing the project time would result in lower labor costs.
Following the approval of the proposal and recording the meeting minutes, Mayor Correra and the board schedule the next meeting for February 23.
Shalisha Bynoe, Creative Professional 