Eye-pleasing signs planned for Bath

BATH – Drab black-and-gold highway signs don’t inspire tourists to stop in Bath, but colorful, eye-catching signs with a logo and a proud motto just might, city officials say.

In an effort to revamp the city’s downtown and entice more tourism to the area, city councilors are considering spending $200,000 to install bright new signs on Route 1 directing motorists to tourism hot spots.

“In the summertime I meet a lot of people who are lost,” said Eric Allen, owner of Bath Printing Co. “I think they would stay longer if it were easier to find their way around.”

The current dull highway signs would be replaced with 35 red, white and blue signs with a logo of the Bath-built Wyoming, the largest wooden sailing vessel in the world.

The signs would direct visitors to local landmarks such as the Maine Maritime Museum, Bath Iron Works and Waterfront Park. A gateway sign on Route 1 would read, “Historic Bath: The City of Ships. Region Settled in 1607.”

“We think the city has a story to tell, but we need to do a better job of telling it,” said City Planner James Upham.

The perception now is that motorists speed past the city on Route 1, not bothering to stop and enjoy Bath, he said.

Last year, the city hired Curt Lischer, a Pittsburgh, Pa., -based graphic designer, to visit Bath and evaluate its signage system. Lischer spent hours photographing signs and visiting local landmarks.

“Bath has so much history associated with it,” Lischer said. “What’s lacking is a way to get that information out to the public.”

The council will consider the proposal during its budget deliberations later this spring. But some are opposing the costs.

“I would support putting new signs out there, but not for $200,000,” said Councilor William Hayden. “That cost is way out of line.”

Tom Wilcox, director of the Maine Maritime Museum, will welcome whatever improvements the city can make. The museum is in Bath’s south end, about two miles from downtown. Visitors say they have a hard time finding the museum.

“We’ve heard of people who get confused and end up driving right through Bath,” Wilcox said. “I think a place like Bath owes it to their guests to help them find their way. It’s a hospitality issue.”