by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The City and several other entities are going to spend the next few months trying to devise a simplified sign system for the rapidly growing sports complex.
Recently, the Florida Department of Transportation became concerned about the number of signs in the sports complex/entertainment area. That concern stemmed from not just the sheer number — virtually every venue has its own individual sign or signs — but also the the lack of uniformity.
“The DOT has asked for a plan from the City before we put up any more signs and I agree,” said Sam Mousa, the City’s chief administrative officer. “This is in response to the recent proliferation of signs at the sports complex. The [Duval County] Fair has said they want one. The historical folks want one. The Veterans Wall people said they want one.”
Mousa has asked Director of Public Works Lynn Westbrook to form a task force that will address the issue and provide the DOT with a simple, yet informative, signage plan. He also wants the task force to come back with a recommendation in a timely manner.
“I told Lynn to come up with a plan within 30 days,” said Mousa.
Plans are to include representatives from DOT, the City’s Traffic Division, SMG (the management company that handles the Coliseum, the new arena and Alltel Stadium), the Bragans (owners of the Jacksonville Suns), the Jaguars, the Fair and the Downtown Development Authority. Mousa would like the group to come up with a sign design that could be placed near what he considers the entrances to the sports complex. Ideally, those signs would be large enough and informative enough that all the individual signs could be removed.
DOT spokesperson Mike Goldman said his office would be happy to provide input, but the City would ultimately decide what they want and where.
“We have met with the City and will work together to resolve the issue,” said Goldman, indicating DOT has no bearing on the timing. “It’s the City’s call on the the timing and there are Super Bowl issues to consider. We are basically working with the City to put together a plan.”
In a memorandum to City traffic engineer Fred Kyle, Jim Scott, district traffic operations engineer for DOT, said, “The guide signs in place do not meet our standards, are inconsistent and probably are confusing to the public.”
The standards Scott mentioned are the MUTCD (Manual Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards.
“Those are a guideline for placing signs at specified distances so they can be easily read and seen and not create traffic hazards,” explained Goldman. “We will wait and work with the City. I don’t expect any problems.”
According to Scott, signs already exist for the sports complex, Coliseum, Stadium Eastside, Stadium Westside, Metro Park, Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (a state sign), Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (a City sign) and the Veterans Memorial Wall. The Fair has recently submitted a request for their own sign. That request, according to Scott, will not be granted until the City provides DOT a signage plan for the area.