91 replies to this topic

[john]

you can read it though....

[Dave Burrell]

I always hated this green sign...

why?? because its readable? Sorry dude, but the green sign is a lot more practical (readable) then that stupid brown sign with orange text and a very small type face

[ducky]

Apparently, this was started back in 2004. It's called a "way finding" program, and a lot of other cities were doing it so we didn't want to be left out.

Of course if you read the link it says there was no immediate financial impact, but says other programs cost anywhere from $1 million up.

I'm fine with the green signs, which were relatively new.

http://www.folsom.ca...75/DO_63375.PDF

[Dave Burrell]

Apparently, this was started back in 2004. It's called a "way finding" program, and a lot of other cities were doing it so we didn't want to be left out.

Of course if you read the link it says there was no immediate financial impact, but says other programs cost anywhere from $1 million up.

I'm fine with the green signs, which were relatively new.

http://www.folsom.ca...75/DO_63375.PDF

It's a good idea but the company that designed the signs did a very poor job with their creation.

They apparently didn't consider text legibility from the street, but rather from only 2 feet in front of the sign - which is the only place you can fully read what they say.

These signs will not help people find their way, instead there is now potential to cause accidents as people slow down to try and read them.

[old soldier]

here is one to think about


why didn't the folsom city hall chicken cross the road






ans

it had to hire a expensive consultant before it moved and the report was not back yet

[Kerri Howell]

The Way Finding program has been in the works for quite some time - the origins are likely to have been, at least in part, a result of the closing of the Dam Road, which lead to all of the barricades and traffic restrictions associated with not allowing vehicles to go from Coloma and Sutter to the Rainbow Bridge. The program is targeted for those who are NOT familiar with where things are in the HD - you know, those people who come from outside Folsom, patronize businesses in Folsom and then go home to where ever they came from. It is part of the revitalization program for the Historic District, also in the works for quite some time. All of the work that is ongoing or planned has been the subject of many public meetings, and most has also been discussed at Council meetings. Ongoing and upcoming work includes replacement of piping in the HD, addition of piping for the installation of fire sprinklers in the historic buildings to be better equipped to save those buildings in the event of a fire on Sutter Street, changing of traffic patterns, widening of the sidewalks on Sutter, removal of the median on Sutter (which, for the record, was installed in the 1960's - not during the gold rush), availability of loans from the Redevelopment Agency to the building owners to do facade improvements, and others.

With the City facing a budget shortfall of $8,000,000, predominantly due to reductions in sales tax, cuts need to be made, and, at the same time, we need to help spur the economy with some spending on the City's part. So, when you are spending money, please spend it in Folsom, to keep the tax revenue here, as opposed to in some other neighboring jurisdiction.

Brad, you are a great guy and one of the funniest people I know. However, please rethink public criticism of specific City employees. I am quite certain that you would not have been pleased, had the situation been reversed, nor do I think you would have suggested having the PD become a subset of the Fire Department while you were still working for PD. I am also pretty sure that cuts could be identified in each and every City department, and those cuts would vary dramatically, based upon the viewpoint of the individual taking the look.

[mylo]

why didn't the folsom city hall chicken cross the road

it had to hire a expensive consultant before it moved and the report was not back yet

That seems to be par for any large organization. See also: inefficiency. I don't think it's specifically a City of Folsom issue and personally think the City does a pretty good job of keeping things moving, it's just inherent to the system.

[Dave Burrell]

The Way Finding program has been in the works for quite some time - the origins are likely to have been, at least in part, a result of the closing of the Dam Road, which lead to all of the barricades and traffic restrictions associated with not allowing vehicles to go from Coloma and Sutter to the Rainbow Bridge. The program is targeted for those who are NOT familiar with where things are in the HD - you know, those people who come from outside Folsom, patronize businesses in Folsom and then go home to where ever they came from. It is part of the revitalization program for the Historic District, also in the works for quite some time. All of the work that is ongoing or planned has been the subject of many public meetings, and most has also been discussed at Council meetings. Ongoing and upcoming work includes replacement of piping in the HD, addition of piping for the installation of fire sprinklers in the historic buildings to be better equipped to save those buildings in the event of a fire on Sutter Street, changing of traffic patterns, widening of the sidewalks on Sutter, removal of the median on Sutter (which, for the record, was installed in the 1960's - not during the gold rush), availability of loans from the Redevelopment Agency to the building owners to do facade improvements, and others.

With the City facing a budget shortfall of $8,000,000, predominantly due to reductions in sales tax, cuts need to be made, and, at the same time, we need to help spur the economy with some spending on the City's part. So, when you are spending money, please spend it in Folsom, to keep the tax revenue here, as opposed to in some other neighboring jurisdiction.

Brad, you are a great guy and one of the funniest people I know. However, please rethink public criticism of specific City employees. I am quite certain that you would not have been pleased, had the situation been reversed, nor do I think you would have suggested having the PD become a subset of the Fire Department while you were still working for PD. I am also pretty sure that cuts could be identified in each and every City department, and those cuts would vary dramatically, based upon the viewpoint of the individual taking the look.

Hi Kerri, did the company that designed the signs bother to do any kind of user study to try and see how legible those signs are from a distance (while driving)? Was there any bidding from other design companies or was this another good ol' boy deal where that company is friends with someone in the city so there was no call for other bids?

I like the concept but those signs are nearly useless with the small type face and colors that nearly blend. I have good vision but can't read those signs at all until I am right on top of them which is very difficult to read while in a moving vehicle. Sorry, but it was a poor decision to approve those signs without first checking out how practical and usable they will be by people driving by.

Also, if the signs are intended to help people around the historic district, how come the signs are going up all over in town where tourists normally won't be going?

I can see why people who own property in HD like these signs but for the rest of us residents they seem like a huge waste.

I think Brad brought up a great discussion, and sometimes criticism is necessary to bring improvements to processes that seem somewhat out of whack in our city at times.

[mylo]

I remember when I first started visiting Folsom, I had to use the one "DMV ->" sign on Folsom Blvd to help me get anywhere. The concept that E. Bidwell, Riley, and Folsom Blvd were (mostly) parallel didn't fully sink in until I'd moved here.

These signs really don't help residents who know where the HD or Zoo is, but for those visiting that have no idea about the layout of Folsom I think they are useful.

Perhaps the font could've been a bit bigger, but I think you guys that are complaining about readability need to get your eyes checked before you get back on the road. They're really not that hard to read!

[knowfolsom]

I appreciate it. I truly love this city, and it has been very good to me and my family. My wife still works for the city in the Parks and Recreation Dept, and loves it. But, we definitely need to keep an eye on the spending. I would like to see the Fire Chief take over as Director of Public Safety and the Chief of Police retire. He costs the city over $300,000 per year in salary and benefits. Can you figure which dept I used to work for????

I think elminating some of the top management might be a good idea. The Bee did an article a couple weeks ago and I think Citrus Heights might have it right.


Thrifty Citrus Heights

"Tingle said the city saves money, too, because its executives double up on duties.

The human resources director, for example, also serves also as city clerk and city public information officer. She also oversees the city's risk management operations.

City Finance Director Daniell doubles as city treasurer."

[Dave Burrell]

I remember when I first started visiting Folsom, I had to use the one "DMV ->" sign on Folsom Blvd to help me get anywhere. The concept that E. Bidwell, Riley, and Folsom Blvd were (mostly) parallel didn't fully sink in until I'd moved here.

These signs really don't help residents who know where the HD or Zoo is, but for those visiting that have no idea about the layout of Folsom I think they are useful.

Perhaps the font could've been a bit bigger, but I think you guys that are complaining about readability need to get your eyes checked before you get back on the road. They're really not that hard to read!

Have you noticed only 1 out of 10 people have stated they can read the signs easily. Coincidentally that person owns property in HD hmmmm

[mylo]

Have you noticed only 1 out of 10 people have stated they can read the signs easily. Coincidentally that person owns property in HD hmmmm

2 ..

Well, finally someone besides me says he can read the signs! Makes me wonder how often people get their vision checked. But then it does explain the way some people drive!

[Bill Z]

count me as one that finds them very hard to read while driving.

[Dave Burrell]

2 ..

yeah but that's because Terry is stopping to spell check all the signs

[ducky]

And here's some more from the department of redundancy department.

It's pretty easy to see the green sign. The print on the new sign is much smaller and also has less information. If I had noticed the new sign I would have found it harder to read.