People visiting the City of Georgetown should have a much easier time knowing where to go to see what they want to see by the summer.

Corbin Design — a wayfinding and environmental graphic design company — has been hired by the city to study, design and erect signage throughout the city in an effort to attract more people to the tourist areas.

The $85,500 cost of the project was approved by City Council in October.

The goal of the project is to increase the city's aesthetic value while making navigation easier for tourists.

A committee made up of appointed and elected officials from the city and county, as well as members of the community met for the first time Wednesday to kick off the project.

Mark Vanderklipp,  president of Corbin Design, told the group wayfinding will help the city improve in the area of economic development.

He said by improving signage, it will “bring more foot traffic to the doorsteps” of businesses within the city. He said it is “a considerate way to bring (tourists) in.”

Vanderklipp said the signs will be created in a way to set a character theme for the city. He said the signage will “create a picture in the mind’s eye” of first-time tourists about what their visit will be like.

Lynn Mueller, chairman of the Bridge to Bridge Committee, said there are two types of visitors the wayfinding will help.

Those who “find” Georgetown, he said, are the ones who plan a visit to the city. Those who “discover” Georgetown are the ones who are driving through the city from one place to another.

He also reminded Vanderklipp the city does have a lot of boat traffic and signage will also be needed to let boaters know what the city has to offer.

“A lot of boat traffic passes by and does not stop. Letting them know how easy it is to get from their boat to Front Street would be very helpful,” Mueller said.

City Councilman Rudolph Bradley, one of the members of the committee, said he understands the need to cater to tourists but cautions against going overboard.

He said there needs to be a balance between attracting tourists and meeting the needs of local residents.

He said the city “does not need to lose sight of the local dollar.”

The project is expected to be complete by July 1.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com