Medical Mile’s wayfinding overlay district clears first zoning hurdle

A landmark decision by the Grand Rapids Planning Commission was the first step in creating the city’s first wayfinding overlay district for the Michigan Hill healthcare district. As healthcare offerings attract more first-time visitors from outside the city, developing a friendly wayfinding system is key to making visitors feel at home.

According to excerpts from the story:

Visitors to Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile” may soon get some extra help navigating the area.

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission last week signed off on a plan to add a new “wayfinding signage overlay district” to the city’s zoning ordinance.

Planning Director Suzanne Schulz said the new overlay district will provide clear, consistent rules for the designation of wayfinding signs, sign size, sign placement, installation and maintenance.

“There’s specific criteria for a wayfinding system,” she said. “We don’t want to have multiple signs and multiple locations that convey numerous ideas numerous ways.”

Read the complete story here.