Modern LED sign at Carson City Community Center gets high tech welcome
After 18 months of planning, a new high tech LED welcoming sign stationed in front of the Carson City Community Center was unveiled Wednesday.
The $100,000 message board not only gives a refreshing welcome as motorists drive along William Street, but provides key information about events and happenings throughout Carson City.
The sign came about through a partnership that involved the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Western Nevada College, Downtown Business Association, Carson City School District, Carson City Sheriff’s Office and Carson City Fire Department.
The replacement of the old sign was the brainchild of Past Carson City Chamber Chairman of the Board Stan Jones who expressed the need for signage that would reflect the rest of the city and be available to advertise major events within the city.
"From the very beginning it was evident there were people in city hall that didn't embrace this program. It was frustrating, annoying but we had a good team that persevered," said Jones. "We have a wonderful sign and I am very proud of it. Hopefully there will be other projects that redevelopment money could be used in the same vein."
He thanked Carson City Chamber Executive Director Ronni Hannaman for remaining "steadfast and determined" as the chamber worked to get the sign approved, paid for and constructed.
Jones recognized Steve Reynolds of Carson City Sign Pro who worked as a consultant on behalf of the groups to get the sign built. Also thanked were city engineer and project manager Tom Grundy, Lee Plemel, Mitch Ames, local contractor Marc Lipkowitz, owner of Carson City based Custom Sign & Crane.
Partners were solicited to defray some of the cost. They include the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Western Nevada College, Downtown Business Association, Carson City School District, Carson City Sheriff’s Office and Carson City Fire Department.
Major funding came from the redevelopment funds collected by the city. The Community Center is in Redevelopment Area 1, thus is eligible for redevelopment funding. Redevelopment funds can be used for infrastructure.
"What's so great about this sign, not only it is a product of participation of a lot of our local groups and citizens, but what it really represents is a face of Carson City," said Mayor Bob Crowell.
Noting that Hannaman used to own a store called Best Foot Forward, Crowell said he's always remembered that as being a positive force.
"That's what we should be doing as a community. Put your best foot forward. Put on a great face," said Mayor Crowell. "This is a tremendous face for Carson City. It is high tech, it's wonderful to see and says a lot about who we are in the city."
Seeing the 50-year-old sign come down recently was an exciting moment for Parks and Recreation Director Roger Moellendorf.
"In my mind it was one of the last vestiges and relics of the 1970s to come down in our community," he said.
Hannaman summed it up by saying "after all the frustration from beginning to end, the bumps along the road, it was well worth it."
Click through each photo to see what Carson City motorists can expect from the sign and those who made it possible.
- Bob Crowell
- Carson City
- Carson City Chamber of Commerce
- Carson City Community Center
- Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Carson City Fire Department
- Carson City School District
- 000
- Business
- carson
- Carson City Community
- Carson City fire
- center
- City
- college
- community
- Community Center
- Community,
- convention
- downtown
- Downtown Business Association
- events
- Executive Director
- fire
- funding
- information
- local
- Mayor
- Mayor Crowell
- Mind
- money
- need
- Nevada
- new
- News
- Parks
- Parks and Recreation
- planning
- positive
- program
- Program:
- recreation
- Redevelopment
- school
- school district
- tech
- The Carson City Chamber Of Commerce
- Wednesday
- western
- Western Nevada College
- Wonderful !
- Chamber of Commerce