The City of Sarnia is awaiting feedback from residents in regards to a proposed concept for a "SARNIA" letter sign.
A public survey was launched last week and will close on July 4.
The city is working with Spectra Advertising to design, supply and install a letter sign in the downtown waterfront area.
"We're proposing that that's going to be a six-foot-tall sign spelling out the city's name, and will have the ability to be programmed and lit for any occasion," said Director of Economic Development Kelly Provost. "The concept is really part of a larger initiative recommended in the Sarnia Downtown Waterfront Master Plan that was recently completed and it also supports the city's tourism efforts."
Council had approved a concept in theory in November 2021 and it initially involved painted four-foot-tall letters. A larger illuminated letter sign was later approved in early June 2022.
The upgrade of having six-foot-tall letters would cost approximately $131,759. Part of the sign's cost will be covered by a $55,000 community grant from Imperial Oil.
Letter signs have become very popular over the past few years in Canadian cities, such as Toronto and Ottawa.
Letter sign design options A.2 and A.3. (Photo courtesy of the City of Sarnia)
The city's survey illustrates three design options for residents to choose from. It's also proposed that the sign be placed along the waterfront in Centennial Park, near the west ends of Elgin and Durand streets.
Survey results will be compiled into a report which will then go to council for final consideration on July 25. If the concept is approved, the sign is expected to be installed before the end of the year.
