Municipal leaders are expected to adopt a master beautification plan at tonight’s city council meeting, paving the way to enhance Cortez roadways.
Durango-based architecture firm DHM Design presented city leaders with a draft proposal earlier this year with design concepts and standards to improve the safety and aesthetics of municipal roadways. The master beautification plan includes traffic calming, pedestrian safety, landscaping and art installation components.
“The plan will be utilized to aid the city on future beautification projects,” City Manager Shane Hale penned in a recent memo. “The plan will also be used in applying for grant funding for future beautification projects.”
The goal is to beautify all of the corridors leading into Cortez. The proposal includes installation of five gateway signs, which would create distinct monuments representative of the city’s unique cultures.
The city is expected to include some $125,000 in the 2014 capital improvement budget for the gateway signs, Hale said. Each sign is expected to cost approximately $20,000, and the city must first acquire needed right-of-way easements.
“All five potential signs are on the fast track for 2014 versus doing one or two signs per year,” Hale said.
Part of a larger overall plan, the welcome signs are slated to be installed on roadways leading into Cortez from Towaoc, Dove Creek, Dolores and Mancos. Project designer Craig Stoffel said the goal of the welcome signs is two-fold: on one hand, the need to represent diverse lifestyles and people-groups; on the other, continuity.
The proposed plan also calls for beautification projects along North Broadway, Main Street, E. 7th Street and the intersection of Hwy. 160 and Hwy. 145. The first phase to beautify South Broadway was completed last month.
Other agenda items for Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. city council meeting include:
A five-year airport engineering services contract with Jacobs Engineering to comply with FAA requirements.
An agreement with Mind Mixer to extend an online engagement tool for Heart & Soul of Cortez.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
