The Highlands Needs Stronger Identity, Ohio County Development Authority Told
TRIADELPHIA -- The Highlands development needs more signage, consistency in design and color, and a brand identity, Ohio County Development Authority members learned Monday night.
And what about a trolley to transport visitors from one hotel to restaurants and points of interest there, they were asked. Or painting the The Highlands overpass over Interstate 70 a distinctive color with name and logos boldly stated to motorists?
Landscape architect Michael Takacs, an associate with the Bohler company of Pittsburgh, spoke before OCDA members Monday night during their meeting at The Highlands Event Center.
A Washington County resident, Takacs said he and his friends often come to the development.
"For the longest time, we would just say we were going to Cabela's," he said. "I'll be honest … until the summer I didn't know it was called The Highlands."
The development is lacking a "sense of place," and there are a number of things that can be done to make it distinctive.
Takacs showed photos of the Easton Town Center in Columbus, where a bridge over the main highway near the exit for the complex has been painted a bright blue.
The Easton name has been painted multiple times on the overpass, and those passing through know it's there and what its name is.
He also pointed out lighting in the development is painted the same color blue, and it is also used uniformly throughout the Easton Town Center property on signage.
The members were asked their thoughts about The Highlands.
Solicitor Don Tennant spoke up before any of them, saying he often is the parent with a traveling sports team who must corral youths to take them to restaurants and points of interest when they aren't involved in tournament action.
Today, parents coming to The Highlands Sports Complex often must drive short distances to take young athletes to restaurants at The Highlands, or to go shopping.
"There is no walkability," Tennant said. He suggested maybe a trolley system be put in place soon to make the experience more convenient one for visitors.
There was also discussion about better utilizing available green space at The Highlands as entertainment venues.
Member Mary Pockl suggested there needed to be more entertainment opportunities through the year in the development, and that there needed to be more of a nightlife there.
"After 10 p.m. everything closes and it's dead there," she said.