By Brad King, President Old West End Neighborhood Association—
MUNCIE, IN—You may have seen some changes to signage in the Old West End neighborhood, or you may have seen some neighborhood association members on ladders messing with certain street signs. We are not changing parking zones, or stealing public signs. We are installing our Social Programs Signs project.
This project is part informational and part placemaking. The association had originally come up with 4 sign designs that would have QR codes directing users to Google Maps with resources to help with: addiction, domestic violence, homelessness, and literacy. Then we came up with 5 more sign designs but around helpful and inspiring messaging: keep it clean, pick up poop, share the road, what counts the most can’t always be counted, and neighbors look after each other here. After some public participation from our bimonthly meetings and a survey we shared about the project we added two more designs; one with a QR code for food resources, and the other a design stating kindness costs nothing but means everything.
As residents actively try to improve the neighborhood, the Old West End Neighborhood Association (OWENA) knows that some of our neighbors are not secure with transportation, housing, food etc. We thought posting signs where pedestrian neighbors can see them and possibly help connect neighbors to resources would be a great way to help get crucial services to neighbors. However, we didn’t want to have more sign posts installed, especially considering how visually cluttering too many signs can become. There is unused sign space in the neighborhood and throughout the city: the back of certain street signs! Inspired by a similar positive messaging sign on the back of a parking sign in another Hoosier city, we sized the signs to go on the back of NO PARKING signs (12”x18”). Working with the City of Muncie to maintain compliance to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, we secured permission to install the signs on the back of NO PARKING signs.
We reached out to several local agencies that would be listed on the maps from the resource signs and received positive feedback. In fact, the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County (ACDC), the Muncie Mission, and Muncie Community Schools (MCS) sent letters in support of the project. Using a map from Delaware County GIS, we created a plan on where to disperse the signs, and finalized the sign designs. We discussed with the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) about using some existing ARP-1 funds for this project and they agreed. We are now beginning to put these signs up. It looks like there might be more locations than the data had revealed and so we may attempt another batch. Be on the lookout for the signs and you can send us your feedback at oldwestend@gmail.com, on our Facebook page or text us at 765-216-5517.
A big thanks to the City of Muncie for allowing us to use their existing signs; Tribune Showprint for printing the signs, specifically Kim Miller of Tribune Showprint for her design;, ACDC, Muncie Mission, MCS, and MAP for their support; Delaware County GIS, and all the neighbors who have helped in this project so far.
