Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

 

CC:

Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

 

Date:

 

September 4, 2009

RE:

Consider approving Amtrak signage for BNSF Depot as a sign of Community Interest

 

Please consider the placement of the following agenda item on the September 15, 2009 City Commission agenda:

 

Consider approving Amtrak signage for BNSF Depot as a sign of Community Interest

 

Background: 

Staff has been working with the Depot Redux group, the local volunteer group working to enhance the depot, regarding various issues associated with the BNSF Depot, located on 7th Street.  The depot provides Amtrak service.  Earlier in 2008, City staff worked with Amtrak to secure additional signage with the updated Amtrak logo to be placed around the downtown area to provide direction to the depot for travelers.  Additionally, staff had contacted Amtrak regarding the possibility of updating the platform signage to the new Amtrak standards at the depot itself.  Amtrak was receptive to the idea, but there was no available signage for the Lawrence depot. 

 

In late November 2008, City staff heard from Amtrak that signage had unexpectedly become available for the Lawrence depot.  At that time, staff worked with the Depot Redux group to identify an appropriate location for the signage.  Depot Redux suggests a location for the sign at the west end of the platform, parallel to the building and offset from the building, north of the existing brick parking lot so that it does not interfere with the desire to place the structure on the Historic Register in the future.  The signage package was delayed with the stimulus funding projects and City Staff just heard from Amtrak that they are now ready to proceed with the signage installation. The sign should be installed in mid-September.  The sign is approximately 7 ft by 7 ft.  There is a location on the sign for community information as well as providing information about train departure and arrival times and the Amtrak system.  There will likely be an opportunity for additional signage to be updated with the stimulus funding. 

 

The sign will be provided by Amtrak at no cost to the City.  Amtrak will provide the sign and arrange for its installation on the platform.  The future platform work to be done by Amtrak will likely interfere with the kiosk signage.  However, Amtrak will be responsible for moving the signage and reinstalling it with that project. 

 

The signage does not conform to the sign code.  However, the City Commission has the ability to approve the sign as a sign of community interest.  This may be appropriate given its purpose to inform the traveling public. 

 

Recommendation:

City staff recommends that the City Commission approve the Amtrak sign as a sign of community interest.