By John Dobberstein, Editor
It used to be motorists could slip in and out of Broken Arrow without really knowing they were in the city limits or about to leave town. But city leaders plan to change that.
The Broken Arrow City Council approved designs for gateway signage and an “iconic structure” to be placed in the city. Some of the structures will have LED lighting for nighttime viewing.
The Gateway markers are a key priority of the city’s comprehensive plan to enhance the visual appeal and branding of the community, with strategic placement at primary points of entry into Broken Arrow such as highway interchanges and city boundaries.
“It’s extremely important that we have an identity,” said City Manager Michael Spurgeon. “When you talk about iconic signage, those are the kinds of quality-of-life initiatives that people look for in your community, and want to be a part of your community.”
Council members were presented with the designs of the iconic structure and primary, secondary and tertiary entry signs, along with the possible locations where the signs would be installed.
The 60-foot-tall iconic structure would be made out of stainless steel, anodized steel, and carbon steel and include multiple arrows shooting skyward. It was designed to be the face of Broken Arrow and placed in a highly visible location, yet to be determined, to attract residents and tourists alike.
“There will be people who come here who would not have come to Broken Arrow otherwise,” said Vice Mayor Christie Gillespie
The structure would be adorned with lighting for nighttime viewing up close or when driving nearby. The lights can be programmed to reflect certain times of the year, such as red and green for Christmas.
“This is that piece that identifies Broken Arrow and beautifies Broken Arrow. Here’s what it represents. Here’s why it represents. It’s a unifying piece,” said City Councilor Scott Eudey.
Along with the iconic structure are various signs to be placed at entry points into the city based on the amount of traffic at those locations.
Primary and and secondary entry signs would be made out of brick, stone, and metal, and like the iconic structure, would be outfitted with lights to illuminate the “Welcome to Broken Arrow” message each would have.
The tertiary sign made out of aluminum and will display the city logo sandwiched between Broken Arrow text. It would be attached atop a decorative pole.
The City Council provided guidance to city staff to move forward with the project and focus its attention on the Iconic Structure first.
“Once you have that, it ties and makes the rest of it make sense,” said Councilor Eudey.
The Gateways project will cost approximately $3 million and will be paid for with 2018 GO Bond, Vision 2025, and Sales Tax Capital Improvement funds.
“I think this signifies Broken Arrow as a class act,” said resident Ted McElroy during the presentation.
In May, the city’s Planning Commission established the Gateways Subcommittee to lead the initiative to establish a gateway marker design recommendation for Planning Commission and City Council’s consideration.
The city hired GH2 Architects for the design work and the subcommittee worked closely with the firm to find a design approach that fits Broken Arrow.
After a series of meetings and design review sessions, the subcommittee finalized the design recommendation.
More details are to come on when residents may start seeing the structures placed around the city limits.
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