The Ohio County Development Authority is looking for ways to direct visitors around The Highlands development, and perhaps make it a more aesthetically attractive place to all.

Brian Taylor, operations manager for The Highlands, acknowledged the need for signage has been an ongoing issue at the development, and that there have been discussions about business markers being placed at the development for about three years.

This week he updated OCDA members on plans for signage at the Town Center section of The HIghlands.

Current plans call for one large sign to be placed on the main building at the Town Center, then a second sign to be placed at one side featuring names of the tenants located there. There would also be arrows showing directions on the sign, according to Taylor.

Each tenant would have their name on an individual plaque that could be removed or others added as tenants change.

“It’s not that we have a huge turnover,” he said. “But we have to have something that isn’t just one (solid) sign.”

Secondly, Taylor updated commissioners on the need for directional signage throughout The Highlands.

He suggested the poles that display holiday banners each Christmas season be used throughout the year to hold directional signs.

There are 24 poles, and the cost for each directional banner is about $75, according to Taylor. Thus, the price for the signage would come in at about $1,800.

Board members expressed concerns about the colors on the signage, noting there should be consistent branding throughout The Highlands property. It was suggested the signage be the same color blue and gold that adorns The Highlands Sports Complex and is to be used on the county’s upcoming new websites.

Taylor also spoke on proposed public spaces being planned on The Highlands property.

Among the ideas being discussed is construction of an amphitheatre for outdoor events. Taylor has been working with companies who build the structures, which come in sizes ranging from 30-feet by 20-feet to 40-feet by 30-feet.

“Initially, we wanted to put it in the Town Center (green space near fountain), but I think we might have some other plans because that might not be big enough,” he continued. “But they would definitely fit there.”