The gist
Council members approved a $1.88 million, 298-day contract with Virginia-based Color-Ad for the fabrication and installation of wayfinding signs across the city.
The contract amount is not to exceed $2.35 million, according to city documents. The not-to-exceed contract amount is to allow for change orders due to miscellaneous costs throughout the implementation process, Director of Engineering Gary Graham said at the meeting.
City staff received seven bids for the project from various companies, which were scored based on project cost, project schedule, quality and similar project experience, according to city documents.
The specifics
The wayfinding signage is meant to “welcome and direct residents and visitors” as they travel to various locations within McKinney, according to the city’s website.
The signs will direct visitors and residents to destinations in the city, such as Historic Downtown McKinney, McKinney ISD Stadium and District 121, among others, according to city documents.
The intent of the signs were to create a strong first impression and boost visitor satisfaction, which would encourage longer stays and return visits, Graham said.
The project was first considered in 2021, and the process has since included a public open house for the design concepts and collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation, according to a presentation at the meeting.
Council members approved the Wayfinding Master Plan in December 2022. The master plan included 149 signs to be implemented in two phases, but the signage was designed with growth in mind, Graham said.
“We tried to design a system that was easy to update and maintain as the city continues to grow and new attractions come on board,” Graham said.
Other features of the wayfinding signage plan include kiosks in downtown with businesses listed as well as educational panels featuring information about the city’s history, according to the presentation. The plan also includes a number of gateway signs along at entry points along major thoroughfares that would welcome travelers into the city.
Learn more
For more information on McKinney’s wayfinding initiative, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/wayfinding.
