Editorial Editorial (October 01, 2004)

You are here

Pleasanton's threshold has crept too high. In an almost perfect city, the only thing less than ideal is the Civic Center. The campus, like Topsy, "just growed," and now has entrances at both Old Bernal Avenue and Main Street, with the Parks Department housed in portables in between. City staff has developed a comprehensive plan for signage at the Civic Center to make it easier for newcomers to navigate. The plan includes 13 outside signs and two campus directory maps, which have arrows that indicate "You are here," plus 17 signs inside the buildings. It sounds nice, except for the price tag - $95,000.

According to the staff report, the need for improved signage came from "public comments and general observations" that the various parking areas were difficult to use, plus the buildings were not identified. The item was on the Consent Calendar on Sept. 7, due for routine approval by the City Council, but Councilman Steve Brozosky asked for a public hearing. It's a shame that no one questioned it back in March when the Council authorized preparing a plan and issuing bids for it.

The low bid for the project came in at $63,000. Add to that $18,000 for electrical work to illuminate the signs; $7,000 for modifications to landscaping; and another $7,000 for contingencies; and it totals $95,000. When Brozosky and Councilwoman Kay Ayala questioned the expense they were told it could be lowered $22,000 by eliminating the campus directory maps and a monument sign on Main Street. The vote last week was 2-2, with Mayor Tom Pico absent. The two council members in favor of the signs said they wanted to help the city employees and make the facilities user-friendly.

Now user-friendly is good. But for $95,000? People new to City Hall have reported they popped their head into the first office they found and asked directions. The offices have locator maps, some posted prominently in the windows. After all, the Civic Center is just a few modest buildings and some portables, not the UC Berkeley campus. The present signs may not be part of a grand scheme but they are certainly adequate and some are even attractive.

In April the City Council OK'd nine signs saying "Pleasanton" to be placed at the city's entrances, for a total of $90,000. Ayala also voted against that expenditure, as did the mayor. Brozosky said later he'd had "buyer's remorse." These signs will announce to people entering Pleasanton that they are in a well-planned, thriving city. But please, council members, have the courage to say, when it comes up next meeting for a vote, that these new Civic Center signs are a waste of money. They will not benefit the public in any way. City Hall signage is fine as it is until a new Civic Center is built.

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