Welcome signs coming to city entrance points

By Grace Lovins

Residents and visitors to Birmingham are going to see a change of scenery when entering the city after the Birmingham City Commission approved the installation of two new “Birmingham Welcomes You” signs and pedestrian kiosks during the Monday, June 24, meeting.

The replacement of existing signs and the addition of the kiosks is part of the city’s ongoing implementation of the wayfinding and signage master plan. According to planning director Nick Dupuis, commissioners adopted the design concepts within the plan back in December of 2023.

During the meeting, city staff proposed a partial phase one implementation of some of the design concepts. They are looking to install two 12-foot tall, ground mounted identification signs, one on Woodward Avenue near 14 Mile and the other on Quarton Road, as well as two pedestrian kiosks. Dupuis noted that the city is pursuing a partial phase one implementation due to their budget of $100,000 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Dupuis stated the city issued a request for proposals back in early May for the installation of the signs and received seven bids. The wayfinding and branding committee, as well as city staff, conducted a review of all proposals and decided to recommend ASI Signage Innovations for work not to exceed $108,400.

Since ASI’s proposal was $8,400 over the budgeted amount for the project, Dupuis also requested the commission approve the additional amount to come from the city’s general fund.

ASI Signage Innovations is a national architectural signage firm specializing in interior, exterior and digital solutions. Established in 1965, they have provided consulting services for wayfinding and identity solutions for numerous industries including education, government and corporate.

Dupuis also stated that the signs will not have lighting for the time being given the additional cost, but they will begin preparing to have lighting installed while the signs are being put in, so they are prepared for a later date.

Commissioners voted unanimously, 6-0, to approve the installation of the two welcome signs and two kiosks. Katie Schafer was absent from the meeting.