Until recently if you were a visitor to Portland looking for Powell's Books you may have had a tough go at it. That is, until Portland's new Pedestrian Wayfinding system popped up to help keep visitors and non-visitors alike on the right path.
The 102-sign sytem, projected to go city-wide eventually, aims to enhance and make simpler Portland's already walkable style, as well as to highlight some potentially unkown destinations for visitors. The system spans five districts: Downtown, Portland State University, The Pearl, Old Town/ China Town and the Rose Quarter. The two-sided signs stand almost seven feet and are color-coated by district. An enlarged, easy-to-read map will point you to between 70 and 80 destinations, all of which are public except three: Pioneer Place Mall, Lloyd Center and Powell's. The signs also give directions to transit.
While the Wayfinding system -- a joint City/ Portland Development Commission project -- is ostensibly in place, 15 signs slated to fit on the bus mall will go up after construction there is completed in 2009. Also, local businesses still have a chance to attach their names to the system: for $200/ year, your business name can go on one side of the sign -- $400 for both sides. The sponsorship goes toward maintenance and expansion of the system while giving businesses a chance to advertise. Click here [1] for more details on how to involve your business.