Barrie’s landmark sign could be on the move within Heritage Park before it’s even designed let alone constructed.
An alternate, less prominent location for the ‘Heart Barrie’ sign was shown in an update to the waterfront park’s new master plan, a work in progress, at Tuesday night’s city building committee meeting.
Michael Barker of SHIFT Landscape Architecture of Guelph, which is involved in the new master plan, said the sign is to be directly on the entry axis to Heritage Park, as people come across Simcoe Street from Meridian Place.
“Although I understand the goal of the sign from a sort of branding and energy level, I would be concerned that instead of seeing the water, and potentially sail boats and activity at the water and these sorts of things, it’s that sign,” he said. “I think there is some merit in continuing to look at alternate locations as the project develops.
“Perhaps it is the best location, but I think as we continue to finalize this plan that’s something in my opinion we should also continue to consider,” said Barker, who referred to the entry axis spot as the “approved location."
Maps with the master-plan update also show an alternative location for the sign, west of the path entering Heritage Park, in a grassy area.
Coun. Keenan Aylwin, who represents the city's downtown, said he agreed with Barker.
“I absolutely share those concerns about the approved location, although I’m a little confused who it was approved by because it has to be council-approved,” he said. “Heritage Park is the location, but I didn’t realize there was a particular location within Heritage Park (where) it had been ‘approved’.
“I do remember during the public information session (for the Heritage Park Master Plan) people raising concerns with the sign being located in Heritage Park, so those concerns Mr. Barker raised about it being right at the entry way directly across the street is I think a very valid concern and something that should be taken into consideration,” Aylwin said.
Coun. Mike McCann, who has championed the landmark sign, said his initial location preference was Meridian Place, but city staff said it was the wrong place.
“In a June report, that (alternative) location was already mentioned… and there were a series of concerns by city staff why that location wouldn’t work… because it would interfere with some of the festivals that we have down there in the summer,” McCann said. “So I went with city staff's recommendation about where we’re talking about now.
“I think that location we have now is perfect," he added.
Am updated Heritage Park Master Plan map does label the greenspace on which the alternative location sits as an 'event and gathering lawn'.
“Through the master plan work, we just really wanted to flag for everybody that potentially a different location in the ultimate re-design of Heritage Park might be something that council wants to think about,” said Michelle Banfield, the city's director of development services.
McCann has raised the first $150,000 of the $200,000 needed to finance the sign, which is to go in Heritage Park by July 1 next summer. The last $50,000 must be raised by March 31, 2022, and McCann said he will do that from the sale of hats and T-shirts.
“I want the last $50,000 to come from the community as a whole, not just from a couple of donors putting in large money,” he said. “I can’t go a single day without people asking me about it (the landmark sign).”
McCann said this project is intended to unite Barrie — to help businesses by driving residents and visitors to the downtown and have them celebrate the city by being photographed with the landmark sign.
A request for proposals (RFP) will be issued so businesses can bid on the job. Once a manufacturer is chosen, a committee — which includes McCann — will determine the sign’s design. It is to include a heart and the word ‘Barrie’.
To make the sign unique, it could be wrapped with public art to create a sign reflecting the community. This would provide a way for the landmark sign to showcase the uniqueness of Barrie and help to draw people back to the sign for multiple visits.
The estimated timeline for the project is that it would take roughly four months from design to installation, be constructed from steel and aluminum and have a coating applied to assist with graffiti removal. It would be lit with LED lights, which would require little power and have minimal energy costs.
City council gave final approval to the Heritage Park project June 14 for the landmark sign, which must be no more than eight feet tall and on condition McCann raise all of the funding. Any funds raised on top of the $200,000, where no donation receipts have been issued, will be donated to the turtle awareness and beaver programs in Barrie.
The city’s new master plan for Heritage Park is to be reviewed by city council next February, members of city building committee heard Tuesday.
