New Holton sign OK'd

The Jackson County Commissioners have approved the construction of a new Holton sign on the southwest corner of the Jackson County Courtyard and have agreed to allocate $12,885 in county funds for the project.

The commissioners agreed to move forward with the limestone sign on Monday after reviewing the proposal last week with Jana Lutz, Brenda Adkins and Lynne Mulroy, who are members of the Holton Main Street organization that disbanded at the end of 2014.

As a final project, Holton Main Street members have committed $22,000 towards the new sign, which includes a 32-foot long and four-foot tall limestone wall with a pillar at each end topped with a limestone cap.

Each pillar is five feet tall. The finished wall would be 18 inches thick. Approximately 315 square feet of limestone veneer would be installed, mortared and grouted.

The plans for the sign were developed by Holton-based landscaper Andy Gilliland of Topeka Landscape.

The commissioners approved the use of plastic, resin letters for the sign as opposed to aluminum, which are more expensive.

 Landscaping options for the sign include using a variety of native plants and trees that would be covered with dark brown hardwood mulch. In front of the sign, brick pavers would be installed, about eight feet deep.

Lighting is planned to illuminate the word “Holton” when the sun has set. Two lights would also be installed on the two pillars. All lights are expected to be low voltage light-emitting diode (LED).

A transformer will be mounted on the back of the sign, and Topeka Landscape is planning to use the power supply that currently exists at that location.

With the resin letter, the estimated cost of the entire project is $34,885. The county will maintain the sign after it’s construction.