HP Approves $24,000 Worth of New Signs
The Highland Park Town Council approved the replacement of 16 “Highland Park Town Limit” signs and the addition of three new signs Monday evening.
The new design — which will include “Town of Highland Park” across a dark blue background — will replace the current signs, which feature a picture of the HP Town Hall. The signs were designed by Scott Reynolds Outdoor Media, at no cost to the town.
The signs themselves — plus the poles they rest on — will cost $24,000, which will come out of the town’s operating budget.
Can’t wait for Sam’s comment! Sure it will be a doozie.
I’ll throw in some “Sam” comments. When were the old signs put up? What is with the re-branding we are doing on signage and flags? Did someone request these items or does our town get solicited every 8 seconds by sign, flag, or marketing agencies?
I write this while chuckling because I’m deeply honored for a blogger waiting for my comment (that means you hpparent). It’s all in good humor, right?
What do I say or should I say rather about this article by Mr. Pearson? You know, two of my favorite movies are: 1. Giant; and 2. The Ultimate Gift. If you have never watched them, please do. Each has a significant meaning about being grateful and responsible with what your bestowed or given in life. Politically I’m pretty blunt with my opinion, and I certainly will never have my wings clipped by any group(s) in our great Park Cities.
I think many of the old time folks (and I’m trying to word this right, don’t shoot me down) who have lived in the Park Cities and have clawed their way to the top, along with those have been in the trenches in business combat, probably roll their eyes in private at some of the things that go on at town council.
One last word, let’s stream these HP council meetings in realtime so the folks can see and hear what goes on in there. I could use a good laugh to start the day off. I’ve always found it ODD that the HP council meetings start at 8:00 a.m. ???
Would I have wasted $24K on signs? I would have laughed in the presenters face. Watch the movies I’ve mentioned.
By the way Avid Reader…good comments.
And $1500 per sign? Are they gold-plated?
Oh Sam, I absolutely NEVER agree with a word you say, but I respect immensely your right to say it! Being one of the “old time folks” (I don’t think I have claws), I will probably never see eye-to-eye with you, but that’s the beauty of a blog, and of America. Can’t wait to see those new signs. The old ones are tired. Carry on!
I swear, they are just looking for ways to spend OUR money. THEY continue to spend OUR money on what THEY want, not what WE need.
hpparent…, I’ll still buy you a cup of coffee and have a good chat! If the HP town council can’t stitch the holes in their tax filled pockets, then I have a novel idea. Replace the cheap and cheesy silver poles that most of HP’s signs rest on and create REAL aesthetic value for our town. The current poles look like they come from a big box hardware store.
There is a bigger picture to what is going on in HP. I believe there is a mission to have this “new” place. Just get in the car and witness the tearing down of HP. I’m not saying every home has historical value, but soon HP’s history will be demolished. What about granting tax incentives to folks who preserve the town’s history, instead of putting up cheap homes that break down in 5 years? You know, HP town council approved to have Beverly Dr. repaved and a few months later its being dug up and repaved because of inferior asphalt blends. Gee whiz, Colonel Henry Exall must be rolling over.
The most sad example in my opinion was the awesome Spanish home on Lakeside that was torn down? sad. rip. wake up folks! All said in good opinion.
You never know. Maybe there have been a number of people looking for HP and have not been able to find it because of the poor signage. Maybe these new signs can help a lot of people find their way and feel welcomed to HP???
@TXson- As for the cost: “The new entry signage will be mounted on a decorative fluted pole painted in Highland Park green.”
Why not sell the old signs to help offset the cost of the new signs? I bet there’s 16 citizens who’d pay $100 for a piece of HP history.
@Rodknee, because man, taxpayers should not be continuously solicited to put more money into a broken wheel…..
@Bradford, really bro, and it includes “a decorative fluted pole painted in HP green?” thank goodness!
All said in fun spirit.
Sam,
At least they put some asphalt down there in HP. In UP the roads and alley are a mess, be careful driving in the 6800/6900 Block of Dickens you might loose control of your vehicle. West end of 3400 Rankin! Wow!
bm,
Thanks for your comment. I’ll try to check out the area you mentioned in UP. I would favor infrastructure than I-Pads for the UP city council any day. It seems only fair.
As far as HP, look, I thank goodness for the taxpayer, because this is where it originates and brings me back to my point. I understand what your saying. I simply do not accept mediocre product work with whom the taxpayer pays. The buck stops with the HP city council. Cheap does not equeate to better, and simply to “at least they put some asphalt down” does not cut mustard with me.
To be honest, either the HP council gets it right with their “so-called experience” the first time or take a permanent vacation. This is taxpayer money being expended and I personally would not have the face to come back in a few years and dip back into the taxpayer cookie jar to fix what the taxpayer has supposedly paid for.
If you have time, just drive down Beverly Drive to the intersection of Westside. Look at the quality of this part of the road. Potholes in new asphalt. This has been a problem up and down Beverly. And now, $15M is being expended on a remodel for town hall. I can’t wait to see this one in a few years after it’s said and done. As far as the new signs costing $24k, simply take the signs we have a put them on a better quality-more attractive post. Right Mr. Pearson? A new fluted post with HP green would look pretty good!
And, as a taxpayer (please anyone feel to correct me), I have a BIG problem hiring a former council member company to do any work for the town, period. Were there any bids?
All said is my political opinion.
@bm,
You are being selfish and irrational. How can you expect the town to spend money on trivial things like roads and alleys, when they have perfectly good parks to redo, and have to change perfectly good names/ signage on fountains. If your going to make ridiculous requests like that, you should just move to another town.
XT,
So sorry! The moving trucks arrive Monday.
I guess the [country road, pot hole rough road section] I pointed out may get redone after all. I just passed a short time ago the contractors who put the questionable asphalt blend down on Beverly Drive @ Westside. Let me think here,…. that makes several sections up and down Beverly Drive to date.
In a humorous way, it makes me chuckle anytime I see contractors stare in a glaze at their work previously attempted.
If I may say, this is not the result of, or by, anything HP’s engineering dept. should take any RAP for. Our engineering dept. is outstanding and I have personally seen these folks work very hard on this project last year. My thumbs up to Mr. Dadgostar and Mr. Vermillion
– hard workers.
This is not the first time I’ve come across or witnessed contractors whom the HP town council hires that are very slow with work or like I’m pointing out here, use cheap inferior product.
Best wishes, and I’m grateful to express my opinion.