NORTHAMPTON — Signs help people navigate their way around a city and therefore impact their impression of it, and that’s the topic of a public forum Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
The session provides an opportunity for the new Northampton Wayfinding Ideate Committee to hear from the public on the topic of signs in downtown Northampton.
The committee, formed at the recommendation of a Walker Parking Consultants study last year, would like to hear from people on how the city can best design signs that help visitors find parking and other city spaces.
Finding ways to ease parking stress, said Mayor David Narkewicz, is the primary goal.
“This is part of our trying to work on reviewing and implementing the recommendations in that parking management study,” Narkewicz told the Gazette on Monday. “Parking is obviously a major component of it, but there’s also other wayfinding, including to rail trails and helping people find city buildings.”
To do the work, the city and committee first are asking what Northampton attractions to direct visitors to and how best to have that interaction.
The public forum will also address “the character-defining features of the city,” according to the city.
Mark Favermann of Favermann Design, charged with designing the new signs under a $50,000 contract won through the city’s bidding process, is expected to attend the forum. Narkewicz said the firm will analyze and review input from the public and the committee, compose new sign designs and work with vendors on installation.
“They’re trying to come up with a design and style that kind of fits with the community, and make that consistent throughout the city signage,” Narkewicz said.
Members of the Wayfinding Committee include Police Chief Jody Kasper, Planning and Sustainability Director Wayne Feiden and Economic Development Director Terry Masterson. Also serving on the panel are Downtown Northampton Association Executive Director Amy Cahillane and Suzanne Beck, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.