“Before” sign by Boulder City Social. “After” sign by Tim Lynch, City of Boulder City.
The City of Boulder City Public Works Department recently assisted the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce to remove an old sign, redesign, and install a new one at two locations in town. The signs are located on US 93 NB in Hemenway Valley and on US 93 SB just before the traffic signal at Veterans Memorial Drive, in Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) right-of-way.
We spoke with Tim Lynch, Streets Division Supervisor, about the project that his crew of nine employees helped oversee and implement. The old sign, pictured above left, had been placed a number of years ago and had some structural issues, the least of which was its appearance. Over the years since their initial installation, the signs had fallen into disrepair and were not aesthetically appealing. Because the signs were not City property, they also weren’t designed to withstand a potential impact with a vehicle traveling along the highway, placing the public at risk. The signs are managed by the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber wanted to improve the look of the sign, but lacked the funding and ability to do so.
According to Jill Rowland Lagan, CEO of the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, she had written several grant requests to replace the sign over the years, but all were denied. Approximately eighteen months ago, Michael Mays, Community Development Department Director, contacted her to find out if there were any projects the City could assist with to help businesses or the community in general. This sign immediately popped up on her radar. Jill says she’s “very grateful” for the City’s assistance with this project and that the new design is “perfect”.
Tim tells that the new signs, with the individual signs, will be managed by the Chamber of Commerce going forward. His team incorporated several design improvements, like standardized signage within the overall sign, improved spacing and sizing on the sign, and most importantly – the sign is now safe for potential impacts from highway traffic. Production of the individual signs – which are full color signs – was done by a local sign contractor, Proffiti Signs and Graphics. Proffiti will provide additional signs as needed and City crews will install them.
The City’s Streets Division is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and replacement of hundreds of city signs like traffic control devices (stop and yield signs, for example), directional signs, street name signs, and the like. They maintain all the public roadways (approximately 90 miles) and sidewalks, as well as keeping the City’s concrete flood control channels (ten miles) clear and ready for potential storms. The group also provides the heavy equipment operators needed by other departments and divisions throughout the city. The Streets Division is responsible for the traffic control for all of the large city events, like this weekend’s Best Dam Barbecue, Spring Jamboree, Damboree and all of the parades held within the city. In addition to their regular duties, the Streets Division crew performs the interments (burials) at Boulder City Municipal Cemetery. The nine-person crew also includes two mechanics to coordinate and make repairs to city equipment. That’s a lot of work for such a small group of dedicated City employees!!
The next time you drive into town, slow down a bit (safely, of course!), and take a look at the beautiful new signs that Boulder City can be proud of. This is a great example of several different entities working together to get something done.
