Pasadena "Way Finding" Signs Popping Up Around Town

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A series of modern, color-coordinated “way finding” signs are popping up in Pasadena (www.cityofpasadena.net) to enhance the navigation by tourists, business travelers, workers, bicyclists and motorists to Pasadena’s key destinations, attractions, parking and other points of interest.

“Pasadena is a world-class destination for business and leisure travel and we want our visitors to enjoy their experience here. The way-finding signs will make it easier for them to find our major destinations and parking”

The integrated, directional signs are being installed to lead the traveling public into—and around—distinct parts of the City, including the Old Pasadena, Civic Center, Playhouse, East Pasadena, Hastings Ranch, North Pasadena, Arroyo Seco and South Lake districts. The aluminum signs have a clean, attractive look with the City’s rose logo, clearly printed words and arrows to note major landmarks such as the Rose Bowl Stadium (www.rosebowlstadium.com), Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena Convention Center (www.pasadenacenter.com), Pacific Asia Museum, retail shopping areas, public transit hubs and parking garages.

Other destinations highlighted include, among others, Caltech, Pasadena City College, the Gamble House, Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, Huntington Hospital, Pasadena Playhouse and City Hall.

The first six of the 378 new way finding signs were installed March 6 by a crew from the City’s Department of Public Works. About 150 of the signs are being placed for easy pedestrian viewing while the rest of the 228 signs are being strategically located to help motorists.

“Pasadena is a world-class destination for business and leisure travel and we want our visitors to enjoy their experience here. The way-finding signs will make it easier for them to find our major destinations and parking,” City Manager Michael Beck said.

The new comprehensive signage is helping to brand and market the best of what Pasadena (www.visitpasadena.com) has to offer, Beck added. The project began in April as new steel poles and concrete footings for many of the new signs were installed. All of the signs should be in place by early summer. The project’s second and third phases will include additional signs with changeable data that informs motorists of parking spot availability at various garages, plus monument signs marking main entry points into Pasadena.

The $2.2 million project includes about $1.68 million in Proposition C monies from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and about $512,000 in matching funds from the City. Metro’s funds were instrumental in completing the project.

Funding for the first phase was about $1 million, including the 378 signs, steel poles, footings, brackets and labor costs. The project is managed by Public Works along with the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development Division and the City’s Department of Transportation.

Way finding signs have been used throughout history, dating back to ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian times when sign boards were used by merchant groups plying a certain trade or good and to mark the location of taverns or other services. More elaborate carved and painted signs promoting guilds were used extensively in the Middle Ages. In modern times, a resurgence of way finding signs have been installed in many major metropolitan areas to market distinct neighborhoods. Pasadena joins Los Angeles and other cities in Southern California enjoying the economic and tourism benefits of a comprehensive, way finding sign program.