Commission’s signs would welcome people to DeKalb
Assistant city manager Rudy Espiritu talked to the City Enhancement Commission Tuesday about designs and ideas for how its proposed DeKalb signs will be created and what they will include.
February 19, 2014
The Citizens Community Enhancement Commission hopes to obtain $25,000 from the city of DeKalb or other resources, such as business sponsors, to build more signs in the city.
The commission discussed its plan to create signs at each entrance of the city at its meeting Tuesday. Committee chairperson Susan Johnson said the signs are planned to be placed on Annie Glidden Road, Peace Road, East Lincoln Highway West Lincoln Highway, and Sycamore Road.
The signs on Annie Glidden and Sycamore Road, are hoped to be digital so the message on the sign can show what is happening in DeKalb. The rest of the signs are to be simpler.
The Citizens Community Enhancement Commission met Tuesday to discuss the plan.
Assistant city manager Rudy Espiritu is in charge of setting up the monthly meetings.
“I think the commission brings great ideas together for the city so we can enhance our image and perception to the community,” Espiritu said.
Cohen Barnes, committee member volunteer and president and CEO of TBC Net, 444 E. Hillcrest Drive, was the one who came up with the idea of digital signs.
“It is interesting doing the digital signs. It is very versatile,” Barnes said.
The signs can also be used in emergency situations, said Paul Rasmussen, committee member volunteer and former community development director.
“What criteria will go on the signs is a policy question,” Rasmussen said. “The digital signs can be used in true emergencies and block off certain entrance points if needed.”
Espiritu said the commission plans to submit the idea in the next City Council meeting Monday to obtain further funding. The commission’s funding is currently volunteer-based and is sponsored by local businesses.
Committee member volunteer Camyle Tate said she is proud to be part of the commission to share her ideas.
“Even though we are a small group, we work very well together,” Tate said. “It is invigorating to be a part of something where your voice is heard.”
The next meeting is to be held on March 17 and will go more in depth about the specific design for the signs and sponsors for the sign.
