The City of Delta will review the process that led to the installation of a controversial sign welcoming visitors to Ladner Village, as well as the new sign itself.
Mayor George Harvie, at Monday’s council meeting, announced the review of the process to add the signage at the Stokes and Cullis Plaza, which he said has “sparked many conversations regrading whether this sign fits in with our community and how we could have better engaged residents and businesses on the scope, design and location of the sign.”
A concept photo of the proposed plaza layout that had been made available to the public showed a space for “iconic signage with lighting” but not an image of what the signage would look like. When the blue sign, which is lit at night, was installed last month, it seemed to catch many residents off guard and drew a lot of mostly negative comments on social media.
Harvie noted, “As mayor, I fully agree this is not the city’s best work.”
City Manager Donny van Dyk has been tasked to review the process, how the structure was procured and installed and report back to council on how future city projects can be ensured to fit better with the community.
Harvie said he also asked van Dyk to report back on the future placement of the current sign.
The city manager will undertake the review without direction from the mayor or council, Harvie added.
Completed last November, the new plaza was created following the redevelopment and restoration of the two-storey Stokes and Cullis building, which was built in 1907, to its original look.
The land owner granted the city a long-term lease for the public space.
An earlier staff report noted that the plaza was estimated to cost approximately $200,000 with the Ladner Rotary Club contributing a donation of $25,000 for two features of the plaza – the two e-bike charging stations and the large wooden seating structure.
The Rotary Club had no input regarding the planning and development of the plaza by the City of Delta.
