Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article referenced the Southwind Extension District instead of the Allen County 4-H Council as the partner in the digital sign project. We regret the error.
Iola City Council members expressed a willingness Monday to pursue construction of a digital sign at the entrance to Iola’s Riverside Park.
The joint proposal was brought forth by Jennifer Terrell, who works with Kansas State Research and Extension but was at Monday’s meeting on behalf of the Allen County 4-H Council. She has already met with city and USD 257 officials.
Terrell noted the signage idea had been brought up several years ago, but was put on the backburner in 2020, in large part because of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The proposed sign would include a 3-foot-by-10-foot digital display mounted atop a stone base, similar in color and appearance to the “Welcome to Iola” signs along U.S. 54, with homage to the arch entrances that adorned the park in the early years of the 20th century.
The dual-sided sign would be visible from both directions, and would be erected in the grassy area between the State street entrance and a nearby parking lot.
Council members, for the most part, embraced the proposed design.
“I like the way it looks,” Councilwoman Kim Peterson said.
“I applaud you for bringing the project to us,” Mayor Steve French agreed, particularly because it would be a joint venture among the three entities.
Councilman Max Grundy, however, had reservations.
“It’s very expensive for a sign,” Grundy said. “As much as I love signs, and I love aesthetics, I’m not sure this would be a huge benefit for the community for that cost.”
Councilwoman Joelle Shallah wondered if the sign could be sponsored by a private entity to mitigate costs.
Terrell responded that the emphasis would be for community events and non-profit organizations, and preferred to stay away from the commercialism side.
Grundy also wondered why the design would not better match the style of the WPA buildings inside the park, and worried the digital readout would be clearly visible for passing motorists.
Signs of that size and scope are designed to be legible with a higher screen resolution than smaller ones, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock replied.
With Grundy voicing the only reservations, the Council members agreed the project should proceed, as long as USD 257 officials are on board as well.
