Consultants sought for South Shore sign program

A project to design and install a system of color-coded signs at the South Shore to help people find attractions such as beaches, libraries and shopping districts is moving forward.

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading the project, is looking for consultants to work on the first phases of what's being called the wayfinding program.

-- A project design consultant is needed to analyze existing signs in the area, meet with community representatives to hear ideas on the sign program, and recommend the best type of program, including the number of signs and their locations. This consultant won't be expected to recommend an artistic design for the signs.

-- A traffic engineer is also being sought to review proposed sign locations and designs for compliance with traffic safety concerns and local codes.

The deadline to respond to the requests for proposals is Dec. 10. More details are available at the chamber's Web site, www.tahoechamber.org, or by calling (530) 544-5050.

A second RFP for the artistic sign design consultant is expected to be announced in January 2008.

The wayfinding program is a response to complaints from South Shore visitors that "no one knows where anything is," according to a report from the chamber presented to the City Council this year.

The program would use symbols and color-coded signs for different types of attractions - for example, blue signs for lake-related activities, red signs for civic facilities, or purple for shopping districts.

The city of South Lake Tahoe has reserved $88,000 for the program and El Dorado County has awarded $44,500. The exact cost of the project is not known yet, because it will depend on the number of signs and their design, according to the chamber.

The program could eventually be expanded around the lake.

Community meetings where the public can weigh in on the program will be scheduled.