The Observation Deck

You know when I was out the other day looking at the wayfinding and the street signs. Good work on
straightening them and getting most into pretty visible areas. I do understand that some of the signs are
actually in controversial areas like the one by Root, where the merchants (Julie) demanded trees be saved.

But I also noticed that all of them are packed, no room for any additions, like if we got any more things
worth visiting. I also noticed most point to places that take you away from Lakewood.

But the one leaving downtown at Bunts and Detroit has a huge empty spot, odd?

Oh well, I was thinking...


just a thought.


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***THIS IS ONLY A JOKE***

I heard this is what some on Lakewood Alive wanted to put.

Jim is everywhere.

Corey Rossen wrote:Jim is everywhere.

Corey

I have often stated, I would hate to live in Jimmyville.

This version of the sign only serves to underline that statement.

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Ryan Salo wrote:***THIS IS ONLY A JOKE***

I heard this is what some on Lakewood Alive wanted to put.

blighted.jpg

Ryan,

Too Funny!!

Do you think this might fit?

"Now entering the boulevard of half-filled promises and what should have been a Victorian District but instead we opted for empty parking lots and a Drug Mart."

Myra,

Is this close?



Ryan

Hahaha!! That about says it, you bet!

Jim O'Bryan wrote:But I also noticed that all of them are packed, no room for any additions, like if we got any more things
worth visiting. I also noticed most point to places that take you away from Lakewood.

But the one leaving downtown at Bunts and Detroit has a huge empty spot, odd?

Jim,

I'm with you on this one. This sign seems a little gratuitous. Initial conversations about "wayfinding" indicated that the signage was supposed to help people find things, especially if they were from out of town.

This recent sign would help somebody find their way out of town, perhaps without seeing the rest of Detroit Avenue, and its merchants. I don't think we are obliged to help people find their way home.

At that location (Bunts and Detroit), the most important destination for visitors would be Lakewood Civic Auditorium and Lakewood High School, both to the right of that sign. I'm sure that those get more visitors than any other place in town, including Lakewood Park. Consider all of the plays, concerts, sports, and special events that occur there.

With limited space, City Hall may be an okay choice, but I think a better case could be made for St. Ed's. That is another destination for out-of-towners.

The sign might also point to Madison Avenue. That is the other major commercial street in town. Let everyone benefit.

Steve

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The new signs are puzzling. Recently, several car passengers asked me what the "L" was for - Left? When I said it was for Lakewood, they said, "We know we are in Lakewood!"

I must admit that I see "L" and I think Left, as well. Is seems awfully redundant to have that L on every street sign.

How much did it [color=#BF0000][color=#BF0000]cost?

Betsy Voinovich

stephen davis wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:But I also noticed that all of them are packed, no room for any additions, like if we got any more things
worth visiting. I also noticed most point to places that take you away from Lakewood.

But the one leaving downtown at Bunts and Detroit has a huge empty spot, odd?

Jim,

I'm with you on this one. This sign seems a little gratuitous. Initial conversations about "wayfinding" indicated that the signage was supposed to help people find things, especially if they were from out of town.

This recent sign would help somebody find their way out of town, perhaps without seeing the rest of Detroit Avenue, and its merchants. I don't think we are obliged to help people find their way home.

At that location (Bunts and Detroit), the most important destination for visitors would be Lakewood Civic Auditorium and Lakewood High School, both to the right of that sign. I'm sure that those get more visitors than any other place in town, including Lakewood Park. Consider all of the plays, concerts, sports, and special events that occur there.

With limited space, City Hall may be an okay choice, but I think a better case could be made for St. Ed's. That is another destination for out-of-towners.

The sign might also point to Madison Avenue. That is the other major commercial street in town. Let everyone benefit.

Steve

.

Steve


I guess one of the problems with way finding is, one man's treasure is another man's trash.

No way finding for Post Office, Board of Education, Winterhurst, Oldest Stone House, Nicholson House, OR
anything outside of Downtown Lakewood.

Then there is the nightmare with consistency, the hallmark of even mediocre way finding. The first sign
coming in from the East says "Lakewood Public Library" the next twelve signs never mentions it. So with
no mileage you would have to think you passed it. Is it on Detroit, or down and off Detroit.

Then I have to agree, is it more important to get the throngs of people out of Lakewood, or not. Some cities
like Shaker Heights was designed to keep people there once you get in. Winding side streets that double back
help residential areas stay quiet, and business areas stay busy.

Who decided? 85% of St. Eds are out of towners, they would need help. LHS students, residents do not need
the directions. New residents would need help with post office and board.

Grace

The signs are puzzling on many levels, the biggest concern, people are not sure, in Lakewood or out? The
color change normally reserve for city to city is confusing. This would be especially so for the people that really
need way finding to find their way around the city.

On a side note, three of the signs that were straightened at one point seem to have slipped and are either
crooked or looking ready to fall. This could have something to do with high winds and tapered shafts would
seem to be the enemy of straight, tension, and alignment.

The most important part of way finding, as they hit on every now and then is consistency and universal
legibility. These means same size, same place, same presentation again and again and again. It means you
design back from two worse case scenarios so everything works. If you start bending the rules, for one the
entire wayfinding premise goes out the window and money, time, effort is wasted.

FWIW.

Steve, Jim, and Betsy,

I think you are being overly critical of our sign stewards at City Hall.

Just this past weekend, these “wayfinding” signs came in very helpful so let me "spin you a yarn."

I was walking east along Detroit Avenue between Belle and Clarence when a family heading toward the “pants parade” pulled over and asked me if I could help them find their way to “Lot C.”

I told them to simply keep heading west and they will see a sign that says, “Lot C,” but I’m not sure whether it comes before or after the “Lot B” or “Lot D” signs – or if those signs even exist.

The family said, “thank you,” and went on their way to find a pant parade full of safe, clean, fun.

Matt

Matthew John Markling wrote:Steve, Jim, and Betsy,

I think you are being overly critical of our sign stewards at City Hall.

Just this past weekend, these “wayfinding” signs came in very helpful so let me "spin you a yarn."

I was walking east along Detroit Avenue between Belle and Clarence when a family heading toward the “pants parade” pulled over and asked me if I could help them find their way to “Lot C.”

I told them to simply keep heading west and they will see a sign that says, “Lot C,” but I’m not sure whether it comes before or after the “Lot B” or “Lot D” signs – or if those signs even exist.

The family said, “thank you,” and went on their way to find a pant parade full of safe, clean, fun.

Matt

Matt

Had the way finding been right, you would not have been needed, it should have been obvious.

On the flip side, one of the great things about a city like Lakewood is being able to stop and engage the locals
on a whole host of subjects from "Lot c?" to "What do you think is the best restaurant on the Detroit Ave.
Chow Line?" It is through engagement with locals that I have found some great places when on the road.

But I suppose in City Hall's rush to give us 6 dollar stores, some of that small town charm is lost forever.

FWIW


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:... one of the great things about a city like Lakewood is being able to stop and engage the locals on a whole host of subjects ...

But I suppose in City Hall's rush to give us 6 dollar stores, some of that small town charm is lost forever.

Jim,

So true!

I never realized that there is actually a rivalry between “Lot C” and “Lot A” until I spoke to some folks who attended the “pants parade.”

Apparently, the “Lot C” folks are “pleated” fans while the “Lot A” folks are “cuffed” fans.

It was also interesting to note that the folks at “Lot B” were pushing for formal recognition of “jean shorts” as “pants.” That resulted in some heated debate. The “jean shorts” issue was sent to the “committee of the pant holes” for further deliberation.

Stay tuned!

Matt