WILMINGTON — The prospects of adding digital signs on county-owned property and accent lights for the courthouse exterior are being explored.
Replacing the current signage in front of the courthouse and fairgrounds and potentially at the Job & Family Services facility would enhance messaging and, in the process, benefit public agencies and private organizations that utilize the signs to publicize and promote, said Clinton County Commissioner Kerry R. Steed.
County commissioners talked about the state of county-controlled signs going back a number of years ago, believing the signs were “antiquated” and that an upgrade would provide a better service to constituents, Steed said.
As for outdoor lighting upon the courthouse, Steed said the idea is to light up the courthouse and highlight it — especially the dome — after recent courthouse renovations.
The consideration has been for LED lights that potentially have a capacity for different colors that would go along with events such as Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or tie in with the Illuminated HoliDazzle Parade, the commissioner said.
Steed hopes that some or all of the signage and lighting projects receive State Capital Budget funds. If they don’t, he said he would still like to see the upgrades get done because they are of value to the community.
Early quotes on the lighting project is, on the low end, just below $20,000, according to Steed. For a digital sign, the cost is about $15,000, he said.
To install an electronic sign on courthouse square in the downtown Wilmington historical district probably would require going through zoning ordinances to comply with current regulations, said Steed.
While Steed supports a signage upgrade and a courthouse lighting project, he wanted to make it clear that at the top of his overall list are projects that bring jobs and economic or other types of development to the county.
As an example of a project with some of the greatest development potential, Steed mentioned a sewer project that would service Port William along with the Interstate 71/U.S. 68 interchange area where already there are commercial businesses with the potential for more. He said unfortunately such a project does not qualify for State Capital Budget funds.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
