In commemoration of its 90th year of acting as the united voice of business, and as a token of goodwill toward the community that it has helped thrive during nine decades, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is offering to put up a welcome sign in the Village of Carlsbad.
With a design rooted in the past and with a clear vision to the future, the sign, proposed near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive features a simple, clean design reminiscent of a historic welcome marker that stood near the location in the 1930s. That sign was erected by the Chamber (during a brief period immediately after the Great Depression in which it renamed itself as the Carlsbad Community Improvement Club).
As an added feature, renowned maritime artist Wyland has created a 5-foot tall dolphin casting, a feature that will delight children and pay tribute to the important role that Carlsbad's seaside setting has played in its role as one of the jewels of San Diego County.
"Darlene the Dolphin," as the sea mammal has been affectionately named, is a nod to the era of the '20s and '50s, which are said to be the heyday of the historic U.S. Highway 101, along which Carlsbad Boulevard sits. During those times, the most iconic spots along the route were playful, such as Noah's Ark, a restaurant that was on Ponto Beach that featured several different animals cut of wood on the hillside with reflective eyes.
The dolphin casting, which will be forged from a durable material, will be illuminated by LED lights at night.
The welcome sign project is the brainchild of Carlton Lund, the chamber's chairman of the board. The project became possible when the City of Carlsbad amended its sign ordinance earlier this year. The design and construction of the sign is being paid for by a grant from the TaylorMade Golf Company.
"Our proposed sign would recognize the symbiotic relationship that exists between the business community, the city, its residents and the tourists that grace us with their presence year after year," Lund said. "This is a space of historical significance to the city, and its deserves a top-of-the-line marker."
The Chamber has submitted its plans to the city, and will make a presentation to the City Arts Committee, which serves as an advisory panel to the City Council, which is responsible for a final determination on the project.
The Chamber's application for the project is being handled by Chamber member Mike Howes of Howe's Weiler & Associates which offers a wide variety of services to the building and development industry including project management, master/specific plan preparation, entitlement processing, building permit processing, public facility planning, development impact fee program preparation, annexations, and due diligence research and reporting.
"We are excited to share this project with the community," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. "We can see this becoming an integral part of the community, a beloved marker for residents that leaves an indelible impression in those that visit Carlsbad."
With a design rooted in the past and with a clear vision to the future, the sign, proposed near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive features a simple, clean design reminiscent of a historic welcome marker that stood near the location in the 1930s. That sign was erected by the Chamber (during a brief period immediately after the Great Depression in which it renamed itself as the Carlsbad Community Improvement Club).
As an added feature, renowned maritime artist Wyland has created a 5-foot tall dolphin casting, a feature that will delight children and pay tribute to the important role that Carlsbad's seaside setting has played in its role as one of the jewels of San Diego County.
"Darlene the Dolphin," as the sea mammal has been affectionately named, is a nod to the era of the '20s and '50s, which are said to be the heyday of the historic U.S. Highway 101, along which Carlsbad Boulevard sits. During those times, the most iconic spots along the route were playful, such as Noah's Ark, a restaurant that was on Ponto Beach that featured several different animals cut of wood on the hillside with reflective eyes.
The dolphin casting, which will be forged from a durable material, will be illuminated by LED lights at night.
The welcome sign project is the brainchild of Carlton Lund, the chamber's chairman of the board. The project became possible when the City of Carlsbad amended its sign ordinance earlier this year. The design and construction of the sign is being paid for by a grant from the TaylorMade Golf Company.
"Our proposed sign would recognize the symbiotic relationship that exists between the business community, the city, its residents and the tourists that grace us with their presence year after year," Lund said. "This is a space of historical significance to the city, and its deserves a top-of-the-line marker."
The Chamber has submitted its plans to the city, and will make a presentation to the City Arts Committee, which serves as an advisory panel to the City Council, which is responsible for a final determination on the project.
The Chamber's application for the project is being handled by Chamber member Mike Howes of Howe's Weiler & Associates which offers a wide variety of services to the building and development industry including project management, master/specific plan preparation, entitlement processing, building permit processing, public facility planning, development impact fee program preparation, annexations, and due diligence research and reporting.
"We are excited to share this project with the community," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. "We can see this becoming an integral part of the community, a beloved marker for residents that leaves an indelible impression in those that visit Carlsbad."