Ritzville City Council approves wayfinding sign proposal

During the May 1 meeting, the Ritzville City Council unanimously approved a proposal from Arnett Muldrow and Associates to develop a wayfinding master plan for the City.

Arnett Muldrow came in as the low bidder for the project at $13,500 with travel expenses, not exceeding $3,800.

The cost of the project will be paid through 110 funds, which were already budgeted and allocated to the City.

The City had previously collaborated with Arnett Muldrow for the Ritzville branding. The company has also completed wayfinding plans in communities across the United States, most recently in Cle Elum, Washington.

In a letter to the City, Arnett Muldrow and Associates Principal Tripp Muldrow wrote “the company is excited to have the opportunity to “continue to implement the brand for the community by curating local and visitor experience to key attractions to the city.”

Muldrow explained the wayfinding plan will accomplish two primary goals.

First, it will highlight downtown Ritzville as a destination in order to attract attention and investment to the historic center of the community.

The second goal of the plan is to “extend visitor experience in Ritzville and enhance the economic vitality of existing and future businesses.”

The first phase of developing the plan will consist of collecting information and a background review. The company will pay special attention to client-identified corridors and destinations. They will also review existing plans, community identity standards and state signage guidelines and requirements.

The phase will also include a two-day long project kickoff event to engage stakeholders and establish the strategic framework for the wayfinding system.

During the visit, the firm will develop a preliminary conceptual model for the wayfinding system.

The firm will also analyze existing conditions and signs at existing locations throughout the City.

Arnett Muldrow will submit a wayfinding analysis and recommendations document to the city, four weeks after the first site visit. This will include a summary of the system requirements and destinations needing signage.

The company will also submit a site plan indicating vehicular circulation patterns at community destinations and access points.

A general timeline in the proposal estimates the information gathering and background review will begin in June 2019 with the final plan presentation scheduled for early November 2019.