Alton Approves ARPA Funds For Wayfinding Tourism Project

ALTON – The City of Alton is one step closer to making its key attractions easier to navigate for residents and visitors alike.

Alton City Council members approved a resolution passed earlier this week by the Committee of the Whole authorizing $38,500 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Alton Wayfinding Program.

The agreement with RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture consists of two phases. Phase 1 includes “preliminary services” totaling $4,500, while Phase 2 covers “schematic design services” for $34,000.

Phase 1 will involve a project kickoff meeting with city staff and a “field review of potential wayfinding locations,” according to a City Council memo from Andi Campbell, deputy director of Planning & Development. During this phase, a schedule will also be developed to plan project milestones and public meetings.

Phase 2 will see the evaluation and development of possible signage options and locations at up to nine key sites around the city. The project’s second phase also includes drawings and renderings of possible design concepts, an opinion of probable costs, and a presentation of recommendations at two public meetings.

“The Alton community currently lacks a coordinated wayfinding system that effectively directs residents and visitors to the city’s commercial, tourism, cultural, and recreation assets,” Campbell’s memo states. “The proposed project will establish a cohesive wayfinding strategy that improves navigation throughout the city while reinforcing the city’s brand identity.”

The resolution notes the city has a remaining balance of $590,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds previously allocated for the purposes of economic development and small business support, which will still total $551,500 after the disbursement of $38,500 for the wayfinding project.

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