Clarksville, TN – Some old signs are coming down and new signs are going up across Clarksville and Montgomery County as part of a local wayfinding signage update designed to help residents and visitors find local attractions and points of interest.
The signage project is a partnership between the City of Clarksville, Visit Clarksville (the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau) and Austin Peay State University (APSU).
The total project funding is $300,000, with $75,000 coming from a Tourism Enhancement Grant presented to the City by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; a $75,000 match from the City; $125,000 from Visit Clarksville; and $25,000 from APSU.
The project will help motorists and support tourism efforts by updating approximately 75 welcome, directional and site identification signs throughout the community.
“The goal of the wayfinding project is to make the signs more cohesive and uniform, and to provide a much-needed upgrade of signs that have worn out,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said.
The old system of wayfinding signs, some dating back to 1999, was in bad shape, and many signs had been damaged or destroyed. Some had been vandalized, and some had been stolen. Over the years, the collection of signs had become outdated, with several different designs and slogans, ranging from identifying the community as “Tennessee’s Top Spot” to the “Gateway to the New South.”
The project participants chose to use the Visit Clarksville logo and color scheme to bring unity and consistency to wayfinding signs throughout the City and County.
“This investment in improved signage will help our community connect travelers coming off Interstate 24 with APSU, Fort Campbell and our many attractions. Most of our wayfinding signs were old, tired and out of date, so we are really glad to see this project moving forward,” said Kyle Luther, chair of the Visit Clarksville Board of Directors.
Jarvis Signs, of Madison, Tennessee, was awarded the sign contract on a bid of $280,400. The company is removing some signs for reworking and reinstallation, and has begun placing some of the new signs. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
