Marco Island's Arts Advisory Committee takes on task of creating midtown insignia

Artist Claire Keery, appointed by Councilor Wayne Waldack, joins the Arts Advisory Committee Tuesday. Cheryl Ferrara / Eagle Correspondent

MARCO ISLAND — Marco Island’s Art Advisory Committee was given a new assignment Tuesday to help define the city’s vision for midtown Marco.

Joe Irvin, zoning administrator in the city’s Community Affairs Department, presented the task by defining the Midtown District’s boundaries. Midtown covers an area from Rose Marina to Hartley Avenue along Bald Eagle Drive and from the Esplanade to Rose Court along Collier Boulevard.

Included in its boundaries are Veterans’ Community Park, Town Center Mall, Island Plaza and a number of strip malls, condominiums, restaurants and marinas. Irvin explained that the district has eight sub-districts and 11 gateways but no overall identifying insignia.

In a brainstorming session, committee members reviewed a number of signs, kiosks, banners and way-finding aids from other cities with activity areas. Each provided a recognizable logo and easily identifiable markers.

Irvin suggested the committee create the design for Marco’s midtown logo by keeping in mind the need for simplicity and strong identification with the island’s character.

“I’ve been reading about it, but now I can really visualize it,” said committee member Lavonne Johnson after reviewing other cities’ examples.

Irvin also presented photographs of Marco’s midtown gateways. He pointed to the signage clutter on Collier Boulevard at Rose Court as an example of too much information being delivered in too many ways. In contrast, signage announcing entryways into Veterans’ Community Park were few even though the area hosts large community events.

Committee member Jo-Ann Sanborn said she was glad the committee was being tapped to participate but felt unsure of what “island character” defined midtown.

“Are we branding a seaside town or an international city?” she asked. “A vision for this is critical, but I’m delighted we are being involved.”

Irvin suggested the committee focus on the natural assets of the area including the tropical feeling already developed by existing businesses. The form and scale of the logo should not trump the buildings that are already there, he said.

Irvin explained the city’s Planning Board was in the very early stages of looking at midtown plans, and a defining insignia for the area would go a long way toward solidifying a vision for them.

“When grant money is available and the economy picks up, we can have a plan available,” Irvin said.

The committee discussed scheduling a fieldtrip to the Midtown District for a better understanding of the area and for time to think about what businesses in the area might want. Irvin said he was considering walking audits and community meetings with stakeholders in the eight sub-districts of the area.

“People want input,” Sanborn agreed.

Irvin directed the committee to the city’s website for information about midtown’s plan as it has been defined to date.

The committee briefly discussed Arts Afire! 2012 Walk with the Masters scheduled for March 31 at Mackle Park. A full discussion will be held in a special meeting at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the training room of Marco Island’s Fire Station, 1280 San Marco Road.