A public survey in Houston was available from Mar. 27 until Apr. 21 at the Houston Leisure Facility and the Houston and District Chamber of Commerce to receive input on the redesign of the entrance signs on Hwy. 16.
Of the four signs two received the most positive and negative feedback. sign 3A, a mountain themed design made out of metal, and sign 4, a theme designed with stacked logs.
A total of 85 responses were received. The report stated that, “The survey asked participants to first select their favourite design, and then select their least favourite design. The survey also provided room for participants to add their own comments on the signs.”
Of the responses received, 18 responses expressed opposition to the entire idea of changing the signs, and three responses elaborating that they did not wish to see the existing signs replaced or because they did not want the money being spent on new signs.
Comments on sign 3A metal sign were focused on the clear look, but negative response as to the sign being, “too metallic and not representing Houston,” said Michael Glavin, Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Houston. Others also indicated that they did not like the mountain landscape.
The responses received regarding sign 4 indicated an overall liking to the log themed as a better representation of Houston.However, people said they would prefer to see the logs flush and not staggered.
“This wasn’t an exercise in changing the signs immediately,” said Glavin. “This was an exercise to look at our budget and see what kind of changes we would like to make.”
Glavin said that presently there is a conflict with the community slogans since the present Hwy. 16 entrance signs say,“Room to Grow” but a lot of the new branding and community merchandise say, “Naturally Amazing.”
“Moving forward, we should be changing the signs in my opinion to reflect our branding, which we did spend a lot of money on,” said Glavin.
It was suggested by district staff that Houston council accept this information as is, and not resolve to change the signs right away. It was also recommended that reconfiguration of the signs could be done in stages.
“Is it possible to take the signs that already exist and simply change the written slogan?” asked John Siebenga, counsellor for the District of Houston.
“It is all wood carved, so we would have cut that down and put it back up,” said Glavin.
“Quite honestly I like the [existing] signs. They are well done, and I find these ones quite drab,” said Siebenga.
Houston council accepted the information, but did not resolve to make any decision on changing the signs at this time.
