A rendering depicts what the new digital sign will look like when it is installed for the summer. (Image courtesy of Sea Isle City)
Sea Isle City officials are defending the city’s plan for an 8-foot-tall digital information sign that will greet motorists entering town on the John F. Kennedy Boulevard corridor.
Following City Council’s approval in March to purchase the $65,150 sign, some social media posters have been quick to criticize Sea Isle. Some have called the sign “tacky,” while others claim that it is too expensive and will be too big.
In defense of the city, Mayor Leonard Desiderio said the sign “will provide a great visual informational display as you come into town.”
The outdoor sign will measure 6-feet-by-9-feet and be mounted on an 8-foot-tall base, making it easy for motorists to spot at its location on JFK Boulevard at the corner of Central Avenue.
“We’re pleased with it. It’s going to be a nice sign. We spent a lot of time looking at different options,” City Business Administrator George Savastano said.
Savastano said the city hopes to have the new sign installed in time for Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the busy summer tourism season at the shore.
In recent years, Sea Isle has used small, highway-like message signs at the corner of JFK and Central to make announcements about such things as road construction projects and upcoming special events in town.
Desiderio said it is time for the city to replace those low-tech mobile signs with something that is permanent and “first class.”
“The sign will be double-sided and positioned so that anyone entering town over the bridge will see any of the displays; and folks heading north on Central at the intersection with JFK will have a clear view of the sign,” the mayor said in a statement.
“The administration believes this is an absolutely appropriate investment for a resort city such as ours, and obviously City Council agreed as evidenced by their vote in favor of this acquisition,” Desiderio added.
This small, low-tech sign at the corner of Central Avenue and JFK Boulevard is what Sea Isle City currently uses to make announcements to passing motorists.Sea Isle officials say they will be able to program the sign with different messages to advertise just about anything the city wants to promote, including its lineup of family-friendly entertainment and special events over the summer.
It will also be a source of important information, such as reminding everyone to buy their beach tags for the summer and to stay off the environmentally fragile dunes, city spokeswoman Katherine Custer pointed out.
Desiderio noted that the sign was a topic of discussion for more than a year while Sea Isle officials researched the best technology to buy. The sign’s vendor, Numeritex, says it includes a weatherproof design. It comes with a five-year warranty.
The city’s purchase of the sign has been endorsed by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, the group representing the local business community, Desiderio said.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, two representatives of the business community spoke highly of having a digital information sign located at such a prominent place in town.
Toni Grdinich, representing the Colonnade Inn, told Council that the sign will be a good way of conveying information to the public about city or charity events, as well as announcements about emergencies in town.
“As a citizen and business (representative), I appreciate the city’s forethought in providing an effective, quick way to provide information,” Grdinich said.
Lauren Bennett, representing the Oar House Pub, also emphasized the importance of Sea Isle being able to promote the city and its business community. Bennett also joined with Grdinich in stressing the need for a sign to make emergency announcements.
“The sign will be an absolute benefit,” Bennett said.
