New signs strategically located in Seymour lead visitors to the city’s historic downtown for shopping, antiques, restaurants and a new park under construction.
Seymour Department of Public Works recently installed the six wayfinding signs at Tipton (U.S. 50) and Bush streets, Tipton Street and Kasting Road, two at Tipton and Chestnut streets, Tipton Street and Community Drive, and Ewing (State Road 11) and Sixth streets (State Road 258).
The signs provide arrows to help direct motorists and pedestrians to the downtown and encourage people to check out more of what the city has to offer, said Becky Schepman, executive director of Seymour Main Street.
“We felt there was a need for these signs,” Schepman said. “We have hundreds of people visiting Seymour for baseball tournaments and other sporting events on the weekends. We wanted to direct them to visit the historic downtown and local restaurants and shops we have downtown.”
Schepman said when she travels to other communities, the first thing she looks for is their downtown, and she has noticed that many use wayfinding signs.
“It is a great way to get a feel for the town you are visiting and try something new,” she said.
Each of Seymour’s wayfinding signs features a train motif at the top to match the new benches and bicycle racks Seymour Main Street had installed downtown in 2017. The symbol of the train helps provide a theme and identity for downtown Seymour, Schepman said.
The signs were designed and built by Westwind Sign Co. in Seymour, which also designed the benches and bike racks.
A total of 20 benches and six new bike racks have been installed. They were built by Crane Hill Machine and Fabrication Inc., in Jackson County.benches and bicycle racks Seymour Main Street had installed downtown in 2017. The symbol of the train helps provide a theme and identity for downtown Seymour, Schepman said.
The signs were designed and built by Westwind Sign Co. in Seymour, which also designed the benches and bike racks.
A total of 20 benches and six new bike racks have been installed. They were built by Crane Hill Machine and Fabrication Inc. on U.S. 50 between Seymour and Brownstown.
The signs, along with the benches and bicycle racks, are the result of nearly $10,000 in grants Seymour Main Street has received including a $5,659 Downtown Enhancement grant from the state Office of Community and Rural Affairs, $2,000 from Schneck Medical Center and $750 from the Community Foundation of Jackson County. A portion of funds from the annual Dancing with the Seymour Stars event also was used.
Seymour Main Street continues to work on projects to beautify downtown including adding new flower planters, revamping One Chamber Square, helping restore downtown business fronts by providing funding for new awnings, signs and façade work and displaying more artwork.
“These little additions are reminders that we are just a few steps closer in the right direction,” Schepman said.