Sprucing up Centre Street

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

October 11, 2018 3:38 p.m.

Fernandina Beach Main Street recently unveiled their consultant’s report on new wayfinding and lighting for Centre Street and the surrounding downtown commercial Historic District.  Dawson Associates prepared a comprehensive, 27page report dated August 30, 2018 that was presented to the downtown community recently.  The report recommendations received favorable response from downtown merchants and city officials alike.

Existing Centre Street signage and light

Existing signs reflect a mishmash of colors, sizes and print fonts.  Similarly, lighting fixtures reflect a variety of styles and periods, adding to visual clutter along the street.  The consultant’s recommendations would standardize signage and lighting, with both suggesting a Victorian era design.  Below are some examples of suggestions contained in the report.

The designs should be viewed as conceptual at this time, as they have not yet received approval from the city’s Historic District Council, which is scheduled to consider them at their October 18^thmeeting.  Should the designs be approved, implementation would be phased in as resources permit.

An example of the pedestrian wayfinding kiosk may be viewed in the rear of Commission Chambers, Fernandina Beach City Hall, 204 Ash Street.

Proposed pedestrian signage:

Proposed vehicular signage:

Functional design elements:

Area where new wayfinding would be installed:

Please note that the examples provided in this article are not inclusive.  There are other wayfinding signs in the same design theme proposed for parking lots and streets.