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Holy cow! They're just signs
Posted by Editorial Page Editor Dianne Hardisty -- On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Bakersfield City Council members will consider a proposal to spend about $69,000 to landscape and improve the two locations along Highway 99, where the city's "monument signs" greet northbound and soundbound travelers.
The existing gray signs with the city's "squiggle" logo are ugly and almost impossible to read, particularly at night. City Council members also will be asked to pick between two redesign options for the signs. Option 1 (costing between $52,200 and $92,200) features a dignified, leaf-accented leaf. Option 2 (costing between $35,200 and $64,200) includes the Bakersfield leaf and squiggle. What do you think? Check out the photos with this posting. Option 1, Option 2 or the existing sign? 22 comments from 18 users
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posted by
AudreyB
on Feb 26, 2007 at 08:06 PM
This is probably the only issue Jacquie Sullivan and I will ever agree on. Let me have my moment.
posted by
sagefever
on Feb 27, 2007 at 06:45 AM
The signs really make no difference in the life of our fair city. But ,somewhat reassured that I will probably never agree with Ms.Sullivan~ the white one is more tasteful,will be easier to see at night. The colors of the other are ,to me, garish.
posted by
NancyII
on Feb 27, 2007 at 07:07 AM
I agree about it not making a difference in our lives so why doesn't the city leave the old signs alone and put the money to better use?
posted by
jasonsperber
on Feb 27, 2007 at 08:54 AM
There are organizations in town, like Bike Bakersfield, that have taken a much-ridiculed p.r. design--the infamous squiggle--and turned it into an integral part of their own image and brand. If it's totally gotten rid of by the city, then what?
posted by
mattcub
on Feb 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Could we just spend a couple hundred bucks and paint a lighter background on the signs we have and get on with the more important issues of running the city government? Seems like $60,000 to $90,000 for new signs is a good waste of money. No matter what design is put on the signs, it won't please everybody, so quit trying. I can't believe we are debating a squiggle vs. a leaf, but hen again, maybe I can. posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Feb 27, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Why not just put a solar powered light on the current sign. If we use the best available, we could still save at least $68,500.
posted by
robbwillis
on Feb 27, 2007 at 10:20 AM
How much did the ugly original sign cost?
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Feb 27, 2007 at 10:44 AM
$45,000 for the sign and an extra $15,000 for the hole in the sign. They had to buy a REALLY BIG drill bit.
posted by
mattloch
on Feb 27, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Sure, Bakersfield wasn't a tourist stop because of our signage.... yea, that's the ticket! People couldn't leave here fast enough because the signs on 99 weren't aesthetically pleasing..... I'm just glad the City Council has solved all of our other problems of gang violence, failing schools, health services, etc. so that they could dedicate our resources to our pressing sign issue..... What's next? Might I suggest the Condor's goalie problem? Or perhaps another pass at a new baseball stadium? Sheesh.
posted by
TomW
on Feb 27, 2007 at 11:50 AM
All I'm saying is that I can make whatever sign they decide on. Just let me know.
posted by
robbwillis
on Feb 27, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Hey, weren't those "In God We Trust" plaques provided for free? Can't Jacquie apply the same tactics to get these signs built and installed? How about signs that say "Jesus Welcomes You To Bakersfield"? A giant Jesus holding the sign would be a tasteful touch also. Those that ponied-up for the plaques will surely send their checks in for that.
posted by
Termite
on Feb 27, 2007 at 12:35 PM
For goodness' sake, paint it white or something and LET IT ALONE! I agree with everyone who said that the money would be much better spent somewhere else. And I'm sure lots of people on this blog would have plenty of suggestions, if some are needed. DUH! It's a SIGN, people!
posted by
anonymous
on Feb 27, 2007 at 12:38 PM
I think that Bakersfield should leave the sign the way it is, its a good sign and they can use the money on needier things.
posted by
nooneisabovethelaw
on Feb 27, 2007 at 12:40 PM
It's not the sign that's the problem. It's the city. A new package is not going to improve the product within.
posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 27, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Leave the sign the way it is. If they *HAVE* to change it, use the garish one. Fits Bakersfield's "style" better. *AND* it saves the squiggle.
posted by
anonymous
on Feb 27, 2007 at 04:10 PM
For pete's sake... I agree they should just paint the existing sign a lighter color and put the money to better use. Although the lighter design is better, its not $52-$92k better.
posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 27, 2007 at 04:14 PM
And use LA sludge to fill in the hole if they hate it so much.
posted by
novelboy
on Feb 27, 2007 at 04:29 PM
If you re-brand, you simply don't keep an old logo. Why re-brand? Unless the old logo was worked into the new logo. But it wasn't. 60,000 bucks was dumped into designing the new logo which had no squiggle. And then Sullivan can't part with the old? It's Marketing 101... ay... I wrote an entire article about it. -n.l.
posted by
randomfactor
on Feb 27, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Looks to me like someone became infatuated with the "leaf" motif (currently on the GET buses) and wants to push it at any cost. . (Me, I like the squiggle. Sue me.) posted by
Griffon64
on Feb 27, 2007 at 05:15 PM
I like the squiggle too.
posted by
locarte
on Feb 27, 2007 at 11:08 PM
I liked the Sun- Fun- Stay- Play retro sign...but I was born here.
posted by
steveeswenson
on Feb 28, 2007 at 08:14 AM
I like the squiggle too, even knowing that some people say it looks like someone just flatlined.
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