Members of Starkville’s Historic Preservation Committee say they want future signage to distinguish between ordinance-protected residential neighborhoods and those simply denoting historical areas as the street department crafts plans to install signage in the Needmore community.
Board members Tuesday approved motions Tuesday authorizing Community Development Director Buddy Sanders to move forward with procuring designs for markers in the historic Nash and Greensboro districts, and adopting a policy in which only city-approved historic districts may be presented as such on future markers.
The second motion passed unanimously after board member Tom Walker said inappropriate verbiage could cause confusion between districts set by the city and those that are simply of historical significance.
“(The Needmore area) does not have any existing structures from that time – it’s just the land,” HPC member Maxine Hamilton said. “There’s nothing there we’re going to protect since it’s already gone.”
Walker’s policy came about after Sanders briefed board members on the street department’s plan to install new signage in the Needmore community, a historic African-American neighborhood located near what are currently Spring and Russell streets.
Aldermen established the Greensboro and Nash historic districts in 2013, which also brought about design standards aimed at preserving the areas’ distinct architecture and design.
A third district comprised of the Overstreet neighborhood went unapproved by aldermen.
A cost estimate for the Needmore sign was unavailable Tuesday. City Engineer Edward Kemp said the price could change after the city strikes “historic district.”
Sanders said he will research alternative pole designs for historical signs within the two established districts after board members said they wanted the structures’ appearances to align with the areas they represent.
“I like the idea of signage. It shows the ideas of consciousness and commitment,” board chair Michael Fazio said. “I have no problem with the sign itself – it’s the post. (They are a) period piece that do not fit with any of the periods of the buildings in the neighborhoods.”
Board members are expected to discuss the additional designs and the signs’ potential placement next month.
In recent years, Starkville has ramped up its focus on new markers and wayfinding signage.
The Mississippi Main Street Association recognized Starkville Main Street Association’s efforts with its Best New Signage award last year.
Wayfinding signage installations stemmed from a 2011 study and multiphase plan aimed at guiding visitors from community gateways to the heart of downtown, Mississippi State University and other key destinations.
Greater Starkville Development Partnership Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Gregory said her organization hopes to install similar signage on Highways 182 and 389 in the future. Since their proposed locations are on Mississippi Department of Transportation-controlled property, each sign must first be individually permitted.
“I love the idea of HPC participating in signage in the historic districts, especially signage that fits in stylistically with our wayfinding signage. If all directional and historical signage is uniform, it helps the driver recognize them more easily. They’re more effective that way,” she said.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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