Visitors and residents may have noticed new signs up around the downtown area, but more is yet to come.
“Installation started on Sept. 30 and is finishing up now,” said City and Borough of Juneau project manager Lisa EaganLagerquist in an email. “95% of the directional signs are installed.”
EaganLagerquist, who’s heading up the Wayfinding project on the city’s side, said that the directional signs, map panels, and art panels will all be installed by December, weather permitting. Only one sign remains to be installed on the corner of Front Street and Seward Street, which will follow the construction of the new downtown arts campus.
“The enlarged map panels also have the QR code that provide access to the Juneau Voices project,” EaganLagerquist said. “This installation will coincide with a launch party for the Juneau Voices Project.”
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More elements, including 14-foot interpretive panels, will follow the signage, EaganLagerquist said. Rico Worl was involved in creating the art associated with the pylons.
The voice project, which features diverse voices from Juneau speaking about the history of the city and specific locations, will be accessible to anyone with a smartphone. An error with the printing required the signs to be fixed. Artists Ryan Conarro and Lillian Petershoare collaborated on the voices project.
“The error on the enlarged maps with the QR code for Juneau Voices had to do with legibility of text. It is not adding cost to the project,” EaganLagerquist said. “The construction cost is $350,000. This project is paid for by Marine passenger funds. The Juneau Voices’ sister project is paid for by grants from the Alaska Humanities forum, the Rasmusson Foundation and many local organizations.”
The Juneau Voices project will launch in the spring, EaganLagerquist said. Island Contractors, Direct Embed Coating Systems LLC, and Mayer/Reed, Inc were involved in the design and installations of elements of the project.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
