Project Program Document for Wayfinding, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin

From "Wayfinding Observations": "While Cape Girardeau has a strong sense of place and uniqueness, many of the character places and top destinations are difficult to find. Some of these places are located off the main routes from the highways and visitors may be unaware that an interesting destination is just a few blocks away. Therefore it is important that a clear wayfinding system be in place. The city of Cape Girardeau has several sign types that direct to different places. These include MODOT green guide signs and the city’s own blue and brown wayfinding directional signs. Each of these sign systems list regional top destinations. While these signs may provide some assistance it is important to have consistency in design, color and graphics. The varied design, scale, typefaces and graphics of the signs make for less impact and recognition for visitors looking for consistent direction giving. The existing sign system also lacks character that differentiates Cape Girardeau from other places. Approaching the City, there is a lack of gateway signage signaling entry into Cape Girardeau, as well as a lack of direction indicating the presence of a historic downtown. These are key opportunities that are being lost. Once within the downtown core, directional signage is neither consistent nor located in appropriate areas to give a visitor enough information to effectively find their way to destinations. There is also no hierarchy established or layering of information on existing signs to support a complete journey from route to destination. These issues are currently challenging the economic success of Cape Girardeau as it is affected by the current sign system. There is a lack of appropriate signage to make the existing wayfinding system comfortable for the visitor. The locations of existing signs are often hard to see, especially with the variety of colors and designs currently in place. Additionally, with no sense of arrival to the city or its unique districts people may be unaware of the special places hidden within Cape Girardeau." Funding was provided in part by a 2008 Preserve America grant to the City of Cape Girardeau (grant number 29-08-AP-4123) for the project Discover Cape Girardeau: Where the River Turns a Thousand Tales. The grant was administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Project Program Document for Wayfinding, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

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