Miramar mayor wants the city to stengthen its brand and visibility. Here’s how
If Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam gets his wish, the city’s name could soon make a towering first impression on Interstate 75 — a bold new effort to strengthen its brand and visibility.
A giant overhead sign spanning Miramar Parkway at Interstate 75 could soon welcome motorists entering or passing through the west Broward County city of 140,000 residents, announcing their arrival to one of Broward’s largest municipalities.
Messam said he would like the city to install a large gateway marker similar to the signs greeting motorists entering The Villages along Florida’s Turnpike or those in Ocala along Interstate 75.
“I think these signs are excellent marketing for a municipality,” Messam said Wednesday during a City Commission discussion on a proposal to create a new citywide wayfinding and signature signage system in the vain of “Welcome to Miramar!”
Commissioners approved a resolution awarding a $143,100 contract to CSA Central, Inc. of Miami to study, design and develop coordinated signage throughout Miramar.
Messam said he wants the possibility of the giant sign over one of the city’s major expressway entrances included in the proposal the company will bring back to the commission for approval.
“I know we would have to get FDOT approval, but I want us to at least explore the idea,” Messam said during the May 20 meeting. “We need more than our name on a water tower.”
The presentation to commissioners by Elizabeth Valera, Miramar’s chief capital improvement program officer, described the project as an effort to make the city easier to navigate for residents and visitors while also creating a stronger visual identity for Miramar.
Valera told commissioners the signage system could identify major corridors, neighborhoods and key destinations, including the Miramar Cultural Center, parks, public buildings and entertainment venues. The project also aims to reduce driver confusion and traffic congestion by creating clearer directional signage throughout the city, she said.
The study will focus on four major areas to place the signs:
- Entrance and exit corridors into the city
- Internal roadways where navigation can be difficult
- Destination markers directing visitors to public facilities and attractions
- Park locations
The proposal approved Wednesday authorizes CSA Central to come up with different sign designs and proposed locations to place them.
Funding was previously approved through the city’s capital improvement budget, with nearly $190,000 allocated for the overall initiative, according to city records.
Under the agreement, $70,000 will come from one capital improvement account and an additional $73,100 from another city infrastructure account.
