City of Peabody to add new signs
By JOanna Brazil
Director, Peabody Main Street
The City of Peabody and Peabody Main Street have combined to develop a signage plan.
Signage was one of the needs addressed in the city's strategic plan and has been a concern among downtown business owners who want better direction from U.S.-50 to the historic 1880s downtown district.
Peggy Wattson, owner of Cameo Rose Antiques, comments, "Visitors do not easily recognize that Walnut Street is in fact the 1880s Main Street. They'll find it eventually, but we may be losing some who are less tenacious."
Peabody Main Street is working with the city to erect signage throughout the community. The Peabody Economic Development Council proposed various sign designs and compiled a "priority list" to help develop the plan.
The first phase is defining Walnut Street as the 1880s Main Street. This will consist of new Walnut Street signs that include "1880s Main Street" on each sign. Each sign is approximately $40 each. Money to fund this project is being raised by Peabody Main Street.
The second part of phase one is building a limestone monument-type sign using the letters from the former high school. The city is working with USD #398 and exploring the southeast corner of Ninth and Walnut as the sign's future home.
Future phases include Welcome to Peabody signs at each prominent entry into the community, directional signage to local points of interest such as the city park, the schools, and city services, and a continued plan for signage maintenance.
Tax deductible donations may be made to support the project. For more information, contact Joanna Brazil at (620) 382-6889 or email pmsa@peabodyks.com.
