Madison Heights plans new gateway signage

MADISON HEIGHTS — As part of an effort to redevelop its brand, Madison Heights will install eight new gateway signs at key locations around town.

The signs will complement ongoing park improvements, possible streetscaping changes in the Downtown Development Authority and completed construction projects such as the 2023 remodeling of Civic Center Plaza.

At press time, the first sign was being fabricated for installation near the intersection of 14 Mile and John R roads. More signs will follow near the intersections of John R Road and Progress Drive, 14 Mile Road and Stephenson Highway, 12 Mile Road and Stephenson Highway, 14 Mile and Campbell roads, Lincoln Avenue and Progress Drive, 10 Mile and Dequindre roads, and 13 Mile and Dequindre roads. Installation of the first sign will occur early this summer, alongside landscaping of the 14 Mile and John R median area.

The city has ordered a mix of monument signs and vertical signs, each with two layers, including a background layer featuring a mix of panels that can be swapped out for different artwork, and a foreground layer with “Madison Heights” written in routed-out letters revealing the art behind it.

The default back panel consists of geometric shapes in different colors, including orange, blue and two shades of green. The foreground panel, featuring the name “Madison Heights,” will be white.

Each sign will be illuminated by ground lighting after dark. In some cases, the new signs will replace existing signs and involve landscape work around them.

The city has tapped Johnson Signs for fabrication and installation of the eight signs at a cost of nearly $150,000, to be phase funded. The project is made possible by a donation from the city’s third marijuana establishment, Quality Roots, located at 350 14 Mile Road.

The graphic design firm Ideation Orange, in Hazel Park, has been assisting the city’s ongoing brand development plan, along with a committee of members from the Downtown Development Authority Board, the Planning Commission, the City Council and city staff.

Melissa Marsh, the city manager of Madison Heights, said via email that the signs are part of a marketing and economic development plan to qualify for “Redevelopment Ready Community” status, as recognized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The state program provides funding to implement best practices for business growth in a community.

The city began its bid for RRC status in 2022, with efforts to update the zoning ordinance, improve training for members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission, and to create a formal plan for economic development and marketing the city, which includes the new signs as well as the creation of a new tagline that will replace “The City of Progress.”

Since emerging from the recession in 2018, the city has made investments updating different elements in the community, from public safety equipment and staffing to water mains, city buildings, park facilities and more. The signs will be the latest flourish.

“When Quality Roots proposed coming to Madison Heights, they expressed an interest in being community-minded, and in helping us curate a positive first impression for visitors by conveying the character of our city. Part of this is done by creating a welcoming image at our city’s borders with gateway signage that is creative and inclusive,” Marsh said. “Ideation Orange created these sign designs to showcase the city as a creative community — whether that be the businesses we attract, or residents at all stages of life.”

Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, said that in recent years, the existing signage has been deteriorating and is in desperate need of replacement. She said the committee carefully considered different ideas with Ideation Orange before choosing the final designs.

“We talked about creating a positive and vibrant image for the city, one that incorporates modern touches with color and appeals to residents, workers and others who visit. We ultimately landed on a bright geometric design that represents our cultural richness and celebrates our art, as well as the vibrant culinary choices that people mention when they speak of Madison Heights,” Grafstein said in an email.

“When people think of Madison Heights, I want them to see it the way I do,” she continued. “We have wonderful neighbors, caring teachers and a great Active Adult Center for our older community members, many of whom do not live in the city but come here because of our great amenities. We’re also home to Red Oaks Waterpark, a golf course and the nature center. Our parks and green spaces attract residents from neighboring cities like Hazel Park, Troy and Warren. Our niche businesses — like 168 Asian Mart, the Planet Rock climbing gym, and Azra Haunted House — bring in visitors from across the state, giving other smaller businesses a chance to showcase themselves to a wider audience.”

She said Madison Heights is also defined by the efforts of its people.

“Our emergency responders and DPS staff are top notch, keeping the city safe. And the art and environmental initiatives we’ve undertaken in recent years have brought more beauty and nature to the city — something people appreciate and take note of when they visit,” Grafstein said.

Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem, thanked Quality Roots for making the gateway signs possible. He also said he’s particularly pleased by how the artwork on the signs can be changed.

“Art and beauty is all subjective, of course, and for every person who likes the look of these new signs, there will be a person who hates them and thinks they’re terrible. But since the art is easily replaceable and can be changed out at any time, we can feature all sorts of art,” Bliss said.

“Maybe we will have a contest for resident artists or high school students in our community to come up with designs. We can also change up the theme from time to time, like special art for our 70th anniversary. They’ll continually change in partnership with our schools, boards and businesses. The signs won’t just stay there untouched for three decades. They will be a representation of our community at any given time — and that’s what excites me the most.”