Hamilton Gateway Sign

[fastcarsfreedom]

First off--Stoney Creek has a right to 'exist' despite the fact that it's no longer a political entity--would you snicker if there was an effort to remove signage around Westdale? Nonetheless, I'm sure there is some compromise possible that recognizes the Hamilton Gateway project and still is sensitive to those in the Creek who want their community identity protected.

As for the project--I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. I frequently drive the 401 corridor and I must say--every municipality/town/community/county/district has been on this bandwagon for the past 10 or so years--these things exist at 401 off-ramps and all seem similar in style and spirit to these--Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Ridgetown, etc etc etc...regardless--of them all, I favor the "corporate brand" version--like matt and millstone, I've always liked that wordmark and logo--since they are key to the cities branding, why not use them? The others are unimaginative block letters...perhaps there is an opportunity to build on the "corporate brand" alternative by adding additional elements.

The problem with these type of initiatives is that they have a finite lifespan and--as I've seen in my travels--are subject to damage, wear and vandalism. The city has to be absolutely committed to making this work--no 'deferred maintenance' or lack of upkeep because budget constraints crop up years down the road. The final design also needs to be a 'classic'--not something that will age quickly. I remember a proposal back in the late 1980s to plant vertical i-beams around downtown with stencil-styled font reading "Kinggate, Maingate, Jamesgate" etc...imagine how that would've aged?

[oldcoote]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

They should use a limestone background from the Escarpment, plenty of quarry around for that, with water pouring from the limestones over the word Hamilton to symbolize the many waterfalls here.

If there's a way to run the pump on solar power, git 'er done.

And stainless steel should be used to spell "Hamilton".

[SteelTown]

Yep and put some LED lights on at night and the word Hamilton will shine bright with the water pouring over it.

This would go great once that pedestrian bridge is built over the QEW.

[Millstone]

These are all just distractions from Stelco anyway. Might as well build a huge wall of trees on either side of Burlington St while we're at it.

[highwater]

Just voted for no.4, but I'm all about native plants. I like the idea of including limestone and/or water elements as well, just as long as it doesn't end up looking like one of those generic Rudy Reimer business parks.

[LikeHamilton]

Gateway feature proposed for 403 and Alberton Road

Four options available

Mike Pearson Jun 06, 2008 Ancaster News

It's a welcoming sign for commuters who visit Ancaster via Highway 403.

The highway interchange near Alberton Road is one of several sites across the city chosen to receive a new civic gateway feature.

City staff will seek public input on four preferred designs from now until June 27. A public meeting was held June 4 to formally announce the plan.

All four designs feature the name of the municipality, Hamilton, set against a coloured horizontal background.

The preferred designs were discussed at Monday's Ancaster Community Committee meeting. While some members expressed the desire to have the Ancaster name recognized on the Alberton Road feature, Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson said provincial transportation ministry guidelines allow only the use of the municipal name.

Once the preferred option is identified, each location is expected to receive the same gateway feature.

The first design includes Hamilton's corporate logo with a forested landscape. A second option depicts a local landmark, the Desjardins Canal and York Boulevard high level bridge. The third design pays homage to Hamilton's industrial heritage. A fourth gateway option shows a tree-lined backdrop as a tribute to Hamilton's diverse communities.

Committee member John Knechtel suggested a more local theme for the Alberton Road feature.

"My sense is putting up a great big sign that says Hamilton might be a problem," said Mr. Knechtel.

As an alternative, Mr. Knechtel proposed adding "A city of many communities," to each gateway feature, to highlight Hamilton's diversity.

Ken Coit, a Hamilton urban designer, said adding a small word caption is possible, but generally goes against the transportation ministry's guidelines.

"They like to keep them as simple as possible," Mr. Coit explained.

He said city staff hope to complete the design study by the end of this year. Construction and installation is anticipated by 2010.

The gateway features will be installed along the Ministry of Transportation road allowance, but planning and construction responsibilities rest with the city.

No cost estimates have been set, but Mr. Coit said the municipality will finance the project.

After discussing the options, a majority of the Ancaster community advisory committee members voted to support option one, the corporate brand design.

Gateway features are also planned for the Highway 6 and 403 interchange, Highway 6 at Freelton, The Queen Elizabeth Way and Fifty Road and the QEW at the Burlington Street/Red Hill Creek Expressway/Centennial Parkway interchange.

[SteelTown]

*cough* been there done that.

[bigguy1231]

This is an absolute waste of money. This along with that ridiculous monolith that they have on King St. announcing the downtown smack of the small town mentality in this city.

As for mentioning any of the former suburban towns in the signage that is just pandering to the whiners in those areas. This is Hamilton now, not Flamboro or Stoney Creek or any of the other former towns. A simple blue sign like every other city in the province has will suffice.

[Pearlstreet]

Sorry Steeltown, it was 2008.

[SteelTown]

no worries! just pointing out this has been debated in the past and there was no real interest.

[SteelTown]

Found an active link to the gateway design study

http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartmen.../CivicGateway/

[Katrillion]

lol

[ScreamingViking]

If they're actually still pursuing this, something with the bridge theme would be preferable.

But I don't see the value. To me these kinds of things are small town, and scream "Notice me!"

If they do it, may as well put something like "Home of Martin Short" or "Dave Andreychuk" or "Sheila Copps" on the sign too.

[thistleclub]

Ancaster News, July 17 2013:

After an absence of more than seven years, the Seymour Lodge Masonic Hall sign has made its way back on to three entrance signs surrounding Ancaster. The signs were re-installed due in large part to the efforts of Jim Green and Carl Haycock.

[SteelTown]

Councillors vote to give Hamilton its welcome sign

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilt...sign-1.1860430

City hall is looking into erecting a welcome sign outside Hamilton to give the city some personality.

The general issues committee voted Wednesday to have staff report back on putting up a gateway sign to “brand” the community.

The effort will promote the city in advance of the 2015 Pan Am Games. Laura Babcock, a community activist and owner of a local public relations firm, pitched the idea on Wednesday.

“Not to get into marketing speak, but we’re missing out on thousands of brand impressions every day,” Babcock told councillors.

“People see smoke stacks and they assume that’s Hamilton. Having a sign that raises that brand impression even minimally that makes the city look welcoming and proud makes a difference.”

The City of Hamilton did studies into a sign in 2007 and 2008. There’s no reason why the city can’t move ahead with it now, said city manager Chris Murray.

Design and cost are still question marks, but “these are minor details,” Murray said.

Babcock started a social media campaign to get ideas for a gateway sign. She used the Twitter hash tag #Time4Sign.

The campaign was a force, said Coun. Jason Farr.

“It’s a wonderful example of how ever-growing and almost out of control the Twitterverse is,” he said.

City council will ratify the decision on Sept. 25.

[flar]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Councillors vote to give Hamilton its welcome sign


The City of Hamilton did studies into a sign in 2007 and 2008. There’s no reason why the city can’t move ahead with it now, said city manager Chris Murray.

But those studies are old, they need to do another study first. How is council supposed to make an informed decision on such a crucial matter with such outdated information?

Could end with something like this:

[matt602]

That would be pretty awesome, actually.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Yeah, you might be onto something there.

I'm still interested in this Las Vegas-esque/ City Motor Hotel sign idea - lots of neon and flashing lights. That would also be cool.

[the905sDW]

I haven't read much or looked into this issue at all really - Is signage going up just for the sake of the PanAm games? Does anyone have details on the signage? I feel as though it is the perfect opportunity to address the brand of the city of Hamilton altogether. Hamilton has grown tremendously in the past years. I feel an updated visual identity would help promote the changes that now reflect this city. As a graphic designer, I'm very interested to know how the city, and other feel about this.

[Pearlstreet]

Originally Posted by the905sDW

I haven't read much or looked into this issue at all really - Is signage going up just for the sake of the PanAm games? Does anyone have details on the signage? I feel as though it is the perfect opportunity to address the brand of the city of Hamilton altogether. Hamilton has grown tremendously in the past years. I feel an updated visual identity would help promote the changes that now reflect this city. As a graphic designer, I'm very interested to know how the city, and other feel about this.

I agree with you, as much as I hate to admit it, image is everything.