New Holton sign proposed
Plans for a new Holton sign on the southwest corner of the Jackson County Courtyard are moving forward as more details on the proposed project were presented to county commissioners Monday.
Jana Lutz, Brenda Adkins and Lynne Mulroy, members of the Holton Main Street organization that disbanded at the end of 2014, presented specifics on the sign project, as well as a photo rending, submitted by Andy Gilliland of Topeka Landscape.
A 32-foot long and four-foot tall limestone wall is being proposed 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.
Two options for 24-inch lettering were proposed. The word “Holton” could be spelled out in either an aluminum or a plastic, resin material. Both options have a lifetime guarantee, the women noted.
The commissioners were in favor of the resin option since there is a significant price reduction with that type of material. In the plan, Gilliland proposed using Classic Roman for the font and making the letters black or dark brown.
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.
Mulroy said she met with city of Holton representatives about the city’s surplus of brick pavers and asked if the city would be willing to donate bricks for the project. Commissioner Janet Zwonitzer said she’ll also discuss the issue with city management. Approximately 400 square feet of brick would be needed for the front area of the sign, it was reported.
Lastly, 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).
“The lighting is really going to make it pop,” Lutz said. “It’s just going to look really, really nice.”
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.
The estimated cost of the entire project is $36,725, which includes $22,000 to purchase and install the limestone wall, $3,375 for aluminum letters, $4,850 for landscaping, $3,500 for installing the brick pavers and $3,000 for lighting. Using resin letters for the wall instead of aluminum would reduce the bid by $1,535.
With the bid, the county is responsible for removing the existing water feature, concrete curb, landscaping and wall material. The cannon in that corner of the Courtyard will not be relocated.
Adkins said that Holton Main Street has $22,000 to put towards the sign project, which is about two-thirds of the cost.
“This would be the last hurrah for Main Street,” Adkins said. “One last downtown beautification project. It’ll be something people will enjoy for years to come.”
The commissioners are in favor of the proposed sign but did not take any action on the project Monday. They also haven’t allocated any county funds for the new sign yet.
