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Home My WebLink About7A, Proposal to Purchase 2 Gateway Signs From SignArt�;� E _ _ N HILLS Re uest for Coun il ' q c Act�o n Prepared By: James Lehnhoff, �� Community Development Director Council Meeting Date: A�ril 12, 2010 Proposal to purchase two gateway signs from SignArt USA for a cost not to exceed $10,500 to be located at the southwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue intersection and the southeast corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road intersection. Budgeted Amount: $10,000 Proposed Project Amount: Funding Source: YTD Expenses: $0.00 $10,500 EDA General Fund YTD Remaining: $10,000 Recommendation: The Economic Development Commission (EDC) recommends purchasing two gateway signs from SignArt USA for a cost not to exceed $10,500 to be located at the southwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue intersection and the southeast corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road intersection. _..�.w.._._.......�..�..�..�.._�._.�..__�...�.....�._......�r----- ............._.._............�..�_ �.m.._.....�.��....��_�__....��.....__�_�.......�w____.�...�.��..�._...�.�.._.__.�_..._...._._...��....._.��._�....�._.._.__.__�......._._�.�_�.�.�.�_._.........�___�._�.._..�_�......_�____�........�...........�.�._._..,M..._...�._�.._�.��_----........��....�__._._��_...._.�_._m...�.�. Supportinq Documents. 1. April 12, 2010, Memo to the City Council 2. EDC Gateway Sign Design Concept 3. Arden Plaza Gateway Sign Design Concept 4. SignArt USA Gateway Sign Design, Location Map, and Location Pictures ��. EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: April 12, 2010 TO: Mayor and City Council Members Sue Iverson, Acting City Administrator FROM: James Lehnhoff, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Gateway Sign Selection and Purc�ase Action Request The Economic Development Commission (EDC) recommends purchasing two gateway signs from SignArt USA for a cost not to exceed $10,500 to be located at the southwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue intersection and the southeast corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road intersection. Gatewa_y Si�n Status The City has been contemplating installing one or more gateway signs at entry points to the City for some time. This project was added to the EDC's work plan in late 2008, and they subsequently prepared a gateway sign design concept and identi�ed potential locations for gateway signs (Attachment A). Before a final recommendation was made to the City Council, the opportunity to partner with the Arden Plaza redevelopment to construct a more substantial gateway sign was presented to the EDC. When the Arden Plaza redevelopment was approved in 2009, the developers agreed to construct a base for a gateway sign at the southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E as part of their overall project. The City would design the sign and provide the sign face. This partnership allowed for a larger sign, which was otherwise outside the City's budget for this project. Based on the design prepared by the EDC, the estimated cost of the City's portion for the sign face was approximately $10,400 (Attachment B). The Arden Plaza property was going to pay for the sign base and installation, which was estimated to cost an additional $13,650 for a total estimated project cost of $24,050. The Arden Plaza redevelopment was anticipated to start in the fall of 2009; however, the construction timeline has been delayed and a new schedule is not yet available. The gateway City of Arden Hills IlAhdocsllahiAHdatalPlanninglEconomic DevelopmentlGateway Signs1041210 - CCMemo - G�rtew�zy Sign Selection.doc Page 1 of 3 sign base was going to be constructed as part of the overall project. Staff and the developer discussed the idea of constructing the base before tlle redevelopment starts, but the developer expressed concern about constructing the gateway sign ahead of the redevelopment proj ect. Gateway Si�n Proposal With the undefined timeline for the proposed gateway sign associated with the Arden Plaza redevelopment, the EDC reviewed alternative gateway sign options at their March 17, 2010, meet�ng. As previously noted, the EDC had considered a more moderate sign before the Arden Plaza redevelopment was proposed. The moderate design included an approximately 7' x 3' sign face that was constructed from aluminum, had raised lettering, and was mounted to aluminum poles (Attachment A). The EDC reviewed three sign quotes at their March 17 meeting based on the sign design concept in attachment B. At that meeting, the EDC recommended constructing two gateway signs based on the quote from SignArt USA for $4,900, which includes installation (Attachment C). After reviewing several possible sign locations, the EDC recommended installing a sign in the southwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue and a second sign in the southeast corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road intersection (Attachment C). The EDC recommended these locations because they are primary entry points to the City, particularly for businesses, and because there is space to construct the signs without the need for easements. There is suf�cient right-of-way for the sign in the southwest intersection of County Road E, and no easements would be needed. However, in preparation for a redevelopment of the Arden Plaza property, the EDC wanted to ensure that the signs could be relocated if needed. Instead of burying the sign poles in concrete, the poles can be bolted to footings, which would be a solid foundation but also make it possible to relocate the sign. This modi�cation increased the cost per sign from SignArt USA to an estimated $5,250 per sign, which still includes installation. The cost for producing and installing two signs from SignArt USA would be $10,500. For comparison, the quoted cost would increase to �5,500 per sign from Signs by Tomorrow and to $7,830 per sign from Lawrence Signs. The City owns the land at the proposed Highway 96 location, and the sign could be installed on the slope of the hi11. Although the City granted approval for Chesapeake Companies to use a portion of the land on Highway 96 for a sign when their office building is constructed, there is suf�cient space for both signs or the gateway sign could be relocated. Staff con�rmed with Ramsey County that the gateway sign location would not interfere with the proposed Highway 96/ 10 interchange reconstruction proj ect. City of Arden Hills I IAhdocsl lah IAHdata IPlanninglEconomic DevelopmentlGateway Signs1041210 - CC Memo - Gateway Sign Selection. doc Page 2 of 3 Bud et The 2010 capital improvement plan (CIP) includes $10,000 for the construction of one or more gateway signs, which is funded by the EDA General Fund. The EDA General Fund is primarily funded through a transfer from the General Fund. Attachment A. EDC Gateway Sign Design Concept B. Arden Plaza Gateway Sign Design Concept C. SignArt USA Gateway Sign Design, Location Map, and Location Pictures City of Arden Hills IlAhdocsllahlAHdatalPlanninglEconomic DevelopmentlGateway Signs1041210 - CCMemo - Gateway Sign Selection.doc Page 3 of 3