Corridor and Wayfinding Improvements Get Further Refined
Community members added additional comments to proposed wayfind and corridor improvements.
For the City of Oskaloosa and its residents, making that good first impression to visitors is the same. Having a neat and tidy appearance that welcomes people to Oskaloosa, and helps inform them while they are here.
On Thursday night, community members looked at some of the proposed signage and information kiosk plans that were developed after the last meeting, which was held in August by RDG Planning & Design for the A Ave and Market St. corridor areas.
The focus of the planning is for the public right-of-ways. Signage and way-finding will involve other areas of the community in a effort to better help visitors find the amenities of Oskaloosa, which could include pedestrian kiosks.
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock said that the input from the last meeting was making it’s way into what was being presented on Thursday night. The architects put those concepts into visual displays, that received further feedback from those in attendance.
Those drawings and designs were on display for feedback on Thursday night. The drawings gave a peek into what the wayfinding signs would look like, potential kiosk designs and locations, as well as design elements that would provide for better pedestrian safety and aesthetics.
The design firm spoke about the steps taken since the initial input meeting, of incorporating the branding initiative “Oskaloosa Simply Brilliant” and “honor the heritage and history of the community”.
“This effort will chart a course for the community to follow that will result in a visually appealing, consistent, flexible, and actionable plan for the aesthetic enhancement of the HWY 92 and Market Street corridors, and the development of a clear, cohesive, and intuitive community wayfinding system.”
Also being evaluated during the discussion are gateway elements. These designs would be in place to help provide that positive first impression, while also helping to inform the visitor about the community and its amenities.
Being financially, politically, and results driven are part of the planning that RDG Planning & Design said was part of their process, and is important for making the program successful in Oskaloosa.
The initial public input meeting had approximately 50 people in attendance. Thursday night’s meeting had approximately 30 in attendance.
Thursday night’s meeting, held at the ISU Extension Office, was the last public input session before final plans are drawn and then presented to the Oskaloosa City Council.
