In this issue, I would like to share with you the thinking behind the Carlsbad Chamber's leadership role in bringing back an iconic marker sign to the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Carlsbad Boulevard, in downtown Carlsbad.
First, let me say that these things are never easy and we know we aren't going to please everyone when we talk about putting something in the public domain. We know that by holding public meetings, listening to feedback from the community both pro and con we settled on a design that has extremely broad support.
Many cities have place-making signs with the city's or community's name. I visited San Diego's North Park for the first time in many years just over a year ago to take in a play. I hadn't thought of North Park being a great place until I visited and saw a spruced up and vibrant area with new restaurants, coffee shops, and a parking structure for movie and theater goers. The one thing that struck me was a terrific sign that let me know I was in North Park and gave the area an identity. It gave me the sense that the people there were proud of their community. Most of us know of the sign in Encinitas that has given cachet to their downtown. I don't think I've ever heard a negative comment about that sign, in fact, quite the opposite. People love it. There are also similar signs in Kensington, El Cajon and elsewhere around the county and across the country, all giving their community a sense of place.
The Carlsbad sign that the City Council approved is a historic replica of a sign that existed over the Coast Highway in 1938. The Chamber has requested, and the City Council agreed, that the sign be placed as near as possible to the old historic sign. The lettering and coloring of the sign is as close as possible to the original sign as well. The Chamber is donating the sign to the city. The sign is being made possible by a donation from the TaylorMade Golf Company and CEO Mark King. Therefore, the sign comes to the city at no cost to taxpayers.
Had the city put up the sign, it would have cost tax payers approximately $200,000. Ongoing maintenance and operational costs will be paid for by the city.
The sign is the dream of business leader Carlton Lund and his wife, Sandy. Carlton has worked for many years trying to figure out the best way to bring forth a sign to Carlsbad. When Carlton brought the idea to the Chamber, the sign's design included a piece of artwork with a dolphin donated by the artist Wyland. As the Chamber gathered feedback from the community, it became clear that the proposed art work was controversial. While many supported the sign with the dolphin, many others did not. The Chamber board took the position that we would only bring forward a proposal that had extremely broad support in the community and therefore decided that the artwork would have to be removed from the sign if we were to bring it forward.
The city staff was generally supportive of the sign but suggested to the City Council that the implementation of the sign be delayed so that more studies on the downtown could be done. Those studies will eventually be included into what someday will be a master plan for the downtown. The downtown has been studied for many years by many people and will continue to be studied after a master plan is developed. Our board felt that continuing to delay the implementation of the sign sets the city further back.
We believe that the sign will be a great addition to the city of Carlsbad, will boost tourism, increase property values across the entire city and generate a great sense of place for those cruising down "the 101." The City Council agreed and voted unanimously to approve the sign, with Mayor Matt Hall recusing himself from the discussion because he owns property in the downtown area.
Leadership isn't easy and I am proud of our board of directors and our Chamber staff for the work done on bringing forth this sign. I also want to thank Mike Howes for countless hours donated on the planning work for the sign. My prediction is that the Carlsbad sign will become a much beloved icon in the city of Carlsbad for years to come.
First, let me say that these things are never easy and we know we aren't going to please everyone when we talk about putting something in the public domain. We know that by holding public meetings, listening to feedback from the community both pro and con we settled on a design that has extremely broad support.
Many cities have place-making signs with the city's or community's name. I visited San Diego's North Park for the first time in many years just over a year ago to take in a play. I hadn't thought of North Park being a great place until I visited and saw a spruced up and vibrant area with new restaurants, coffee shops, and a parking structure for movie and theater goers. The one thing that struck me was a terrific sign that let me know I was in North Park and gave the area an identity. It gave me the sense that the people there were proud of their community. Most of us know of the sign in Encinitas that has given cachet to their downtown. I don't think I've ever heard a negative comment about that sign, in fact, quite the opposite. People love it. There are also similar signs in Kensington, El Cajon and elsewhere around the county and across the country, all giving their community a sense of place.
The Carlsbad sign that the City Council approved is a historic replica of a sign that existed over the Coast Highway in 1938. The Chamber has requested, and the City Council agreed, that the sign be placed as near as possible to the old historic sign. The lettering and coloring of the sign is as close as possible to the original sign as well. The Chamber is donating the sign to the city. The sign is being made possible by a donation from the TaylorMade Golf Company and CEO Mark King. Therefore, the sign comes to the city at no cost to taxpayers.
Had the city put up the sign, it would have cost tax payers approximately $200,000. Ongoing maintenance and operational costs will be paid for by the city.
The sign is the dream of business leader Carlton Lund and his wife, Sandy. Carlton has worked for many years trying to figure out the best way to bring forth a sign to Carlsbad. When Carlton brought the idea to the Chamber, the sign's design included a piece of artwork with a dolphin donated by the artist Wyland. As the Chamber gathered feedback from the community, it became clear that the proposed art work was controversial. While many supported the sign with the dolphin, many others did not. The Chamber board took the position that we would only bring forward a proposal that had extremely broad support in the community and therefore decided that the artwork would have to be removed from the sign if we were to bring it forward.
The city staff was generally supportive of the sign but suggested to the City Council that the implementation of the sign be delayed so that more studies on the downtown could be done. Those studies will eventually be included into what someday will be a master plan for the downtown. The downtown has been studied for many years by many people and will continue to be studied after a master plan is developed. Our board felt that continuing to delay the implementation of the sign sets the city further back.
We believe that the sign will be a great addition to the city of Carlsbad, will boost tourism, increase property values across the entire city and generate a great sense of place for those cruising down "the 101." The City Council agreed and voted unanimously to approve the sign, with Mayor Matt Hall recusing himself from the discussion because he owns property in the downtown area.
Leadership isn't easy and I am proud of our board of directors and our Chamber staff for the work done on bringing forth this sign. I also want to thank Mike Howes for countless hours donated on the planning work for the sign. My prediction is that the Carlsbad sign will become a much beloved icon in the city of Carlsbad for years to come.