Feedback sought on new signage plan directing visitors to downtown Naperville museums, attractions and amenities
Public feedback is being sought on a plan to help visitors better navigate their way to downtown Naperville amenities and attractions by foot or car.
Even with the use of personal digital devices or the signs already in place, it’s not always easy to find the Riverwalk, city museums and other things that lure both residents and visitors, Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Danielle Tufano said.
To that end, the alliance is proposing a comprehensive refresh the signage system, which will include their current logo and a carefully crafted message aligned with the downtown strategy, she said.
Hitchcock Design Group was hired by the alliance and the city in late 2022 to develop a Downtown Wayfinding Master Plan, which will be unveiled during an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the NEU meeting room of the Naperville Municipal Center.
The coordinated system includes directional signs that will help people find downtown and then, when there, get them to spots within downtown; informational signs that provide static and/or digital information and maps; and identification signs that mark gateways, public facilities and parking.
Tufano said the goal is to make the process as transparent as possible because it’s a big undertaking with a lot of moving parts.
“We want to make sure that we’re doing it the right way. … We feel like making sure that we’re covering every corner and making sure that we’re answering everybody’s questions.”
The plan, she said, also needs to be sustainable.
“Getting as many people on board as possible is important, and having this open house gives everybody an opportunity to see what our plan is and give us their input,” Tufano said.
The alliance and the city have tried to be cognizant of the different community attractions, organizations and locations that make the downtown and nearby area so attractive to visitors, like the Riverwalk, North Central College, DuPage Children’s Museum, Naper Settlement and Edward Hospital, she said.
While they believe they have developed the best plan possible, there may be things they haven’t considered, Tufano said.
Feedback gathered at the open house will be used to fine tune the plan before it’s presented to the Naperville City Council and funding is requested.
Representatives from the alliance, Hitchcock and the city will be available at the open house to provide project details and answer questions. A digital presentation from Hitchcock Design Group will take place at 6 p.m.
For those unable to attend, feedback can be sent to danielle@downtownnaperville.com until April 21. For project information and updates, go to www.naperville.il.us/dtwayfinding.
