Wayfinding Signage Plan

We appreciate your feedback!

The University Place Wayfinding Signage project is underway and the City of University Place would like your input on the initial signage concepts, which will then be refined into a new wayfinding and district signage design standard for the City.  This online survey form will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will be made available for public feedback through June 21, 2024. Your responses to the online survey will be anonymous and an email is not required.

Tell the City what you think in this Online Survey.

Overview and Purpose of the City Wayfinding Signage Plan

The City of University Place is developing a plan for a cohesive family of Wayfinding Signage to be placed around the City. The signage plan’s objectives are as follows:

  • To provide informative and effective wayfinding at strategic locations, not only to guide the public, but to also highlight destinations and districts they may not be aware of.
  • Bolster commercial growth and development by providing a worry-free experience for residents and visitors alike as they navigate throughout University Place streets.
  • Provide an opportunity to brand business districts and reinforce mobile navigation, as well as encourage exploration and discovery.

In addition to the existing City monuments signs and park/facility signs, the City’s wayfinding signage network shall consist of the following (new) sign types:

  • Wayfinding directional signs
    • Vehicular scale
    • Pedestrian/bicycle scale
    • District signs
  • Electrical message board sign and/or information kiosk
  • Parking sign

Planning Process and Timeline

Wayfinding Signage Timeline

This effort commenced with the site analysis phase where the project team, City staff and the Consultant, visited various locations throughout the city to identify the opportunities for wayfinding signage. The project team looked at decision-making points where directional signage was needed and where there was space within the City right-of-way to install the signage. The team also observed the existing city monument signage, existing park signs, the city’s decorative lighting, and local architecture to help determine an aesthetic look and feel for the signage that complements these existing elements and further supports the welcoming identity of University Place. Considerations such as scale, legibility, sign locations and frequency, content, aesthetics, and durability of the signage are all essential components of successful and effective wayfinding.

The project team developed concept design alternatives for City staff and the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, consisting of residents and business owners, to review and provide feedback. The Committee met three (3) times to review the proposed concepts and provided thoughtful feedback on the overall aesthetics including colors, materials, and architectural style, vetting the designs through the lens of whether they complement the City’s existing signage and reflect the unique identity of University Place. The Committee recommended four (4) sign design concept variations for public review and comment. 

The next step for this effort is public engagement to solicit additional feedback on the concept alternatives which will help determine a preferred concept to move forward with for final design, cost estimating, and implementation.

Design Options
Concept 1A

Concept 1B

Concept 2A

Concept 2B