Way-finding signs could boost area attractions

Hillary Taylor, senior planner for the city of Springfield and the source of that definition, said she thinks that way finding might be helpful here. That’s why the city, along with Urban District Alliance, Missouri Department of Transportation and other groups, is working on a plan to add up to 200 signs in and around town, directing visitors to major attractions in the city.

The project began as a city staff idea in 2003, Taylor said. A core group of 15 individuals was put together, with representatives from MoDOT, Greene County, Springfield Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Ozarks Transportation Organization and UDA.

The original idea was to draw people downtown, according to Vern Morgan, senior planner with the city’s Economic Development Department. He said the downtown area has remained largely hidden from out-of-town visitors.

“For one thing, if you get in your car and drive the major highways around Springfield, if you’re not familiar with the area, you’re probably unaware that there is a downtown or how to get there,” he said. “Then we started thinking that a lot of visitors are already going to specific places – Bass Pro, the Battlefield Mall – and wouldn’t it be good if we could cross-market our center city with other attractions in the community.”

It’s more than just an idea now; Springfield City Council will see preliminary drawings for the proposed signs at its Nov. 22 luncheon.

Click here for the full story from Oct. 17.