The 2030 City of Raleigh Comprehensive Plan includes an action item, Action HP 1.5, which suggests the addition of Special Street Signs in Historic Overlay Districts. The City of Raleigh is funding this project. On May 13, RHDC held an informational meeting to share the project, including the design of the signs.

Program Objective

Replace existing blue-and-white oval sign toppers with white-on-brown street identification sign blades with the name of the district at street intersections located within Historic Overlay Districts (HODs). 

Process

• Signs will be purchased from a vendor during summer 2013
• Signs will be installed by the Public Works Department during the 2013-2014 fall/winter months

Program Need

• Current design is scaled for pedestrian, not automobile, visibility (i.e., signs are small and difficult to read from moving vehicles) 
• Over 30% of current sign toppers are either missing or require maintenance 
• Prince Hall, the newest HOD, does not have any historic district signage

Program Accomplishments

• Provide an updated and legible signage system for HODs that will inform residents of district status, solidify district identity, and aid economic tourism efforts
• Use white-on-brown format, which is universally recognized as identifying historic/cultural resources
• Provide Prince Hall HOD with its own set of signage
• Satisfy a 2030 City of Raleigh Comprehensive Plan action item 

New Street Sign Installation Celebration

On January 10 RHDC, the Widow's Son Lodge #4, Raleigh Public Works, and the Raleigh Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources celebrated the installation of the first new historic overlay district street signs in the Prince Hall Historic District, followed by refreshments at the Pope House Museum, a Raleigh Historic Landmark.