PEORIA, Ill. – You’re going to see a lot more signs in various parts of downtown and perhaps other parts of Peoria, essentially telling you where to go.
You, that is, if you’re a tourist looking to get to any of a number of locales in the area.
Two prototype “wayfinding” signs are up now, with 70 more to go, thanks in part to the Downtown Development Corporation and $670,000 in city money covering installation, and sign-making.
(Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
“It’s an inter-connected system. No matter where you’re starting from or where you are in the downtown area, there’s going to be connectivity,” said Mark Misselhorn, chairperson, Peoria Downtown Advisory Council. “The signs you’ll see (the two already installed) are one of eleven types of signs. It’s a family of signs that are different sizes, have different purposes. They go from vehicular guidance to pedestrian guidance.”
Misselhorn says the signs can easily be added to if necessary. And, some informational kiosk-style wayfinding signs will have QR codes that should contain listings of things like restaurants or other attractions, and how you can get more information about them..
“Wayfinding transforms complex urban environments into understandable and straight-forward navigational spaces, helping people engage seamlessly with their surrounding environment,” said Zach Oyler, Peoria At-Large City Council Member and Downtown Development Corporation board member.
If you think the signs are just for tourists to Peoria, think again.
“There’s more and more new places opening, things changing, more places to see,” said Misselhorn. “Even if you’re not a visitor from far away, looking on these kiosks and having QR codes and links and say, ‘I’ve never been there. I didn’t know that existed.’ Human nature, if you don’t see it, you don’t go to it.”
The remaining signs will go up starting next month.
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