Carson working on signs to welcome and guide visitors

Consultants say Carson City needs a comprehensive system of signs to introduce people to the capital city and direct them to its various attractions.

Joe McCarthy of the city's Economic Development Department said the idea is to develop both monument signs that welcome visitors to Carson City and "wayfinding signage" throughout the city to direct people.

"They would be thematic in nature, reflecting our historic content and Carson's relationship to the state of Nevada," he said.

The gateway signs on Highway 395 and Highway 50, he said, will welcome people to Carson City. They would be sandstone or similar structures up to 14 feet tall designed to "give drivers a feel for what Carson City is all about."

One proposal bears the state map and seal on a sandstone tower. Other ideas suspended a welcome sign bearing an image of the Capitol or a Pony Express rider between towers.

But, he said, equally important are the smaller street signs that will direct people once they are in Carson City.

"We're in desperate need of wayfinding signage," he said. "We want to be able to guide both the driver and the pedestrian to be able to locate our assets."

He said that includes state facilities like the Capitol and Governor's Mansion as well as Mills Park, the Nevada State Railroad Museum and the city's numerous historic sites.

A number of "wayfinding sign" ideas were presented bearing graphic images of the Capitol, railroad museum and other features to help visitors find the sites they wish to visit.

Robert Inwood, of Mainstreet Concepts, presented those initial design concepts to city officials and members of the public this past week.

McCarthy said Wednesday's meeting was the first time the designs have been put on public display.

He said the designs will not only be shown again to members of the public, but to state officials including the Nevada Department of Transportation. He said NDOT has been supportive of these types of efforts in the past and he expects they'll be glad to join the process.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.