photo by: Joselyn King

Michael Takacs, associate with the Bohler engineering firm in Pittsburgh, presents a master plan for improving The Highlands property to Ohio County Development Authority members.

TRIADELPHIA – Entryway signage, a gathering spot, landscaping and even bicycles are among upgrades and improvements being suggested for The Highlands.

Ohio County Development Authority members recently heard the presentation of a proposed master plan for The Highlands from Michael Takacs, a representative of the Bohler engineering company in Pittsburgh. The idea of the master plan is to bring a uniform and distinctive look to the development, while also creating branding and recognition.

Central to the plan is the suggested placement of a sign welcoming visitors to “The Highlands” that would be placed below Eat’n Park and visible from Interstate 70. No such signage presently exists at the development.

Takacs explained that in the Pittsburgh and Washington, Pennsylvania, areas, people aren’t familiar with the name “The Highlands.” Instead, people often refer to it by the name of an anchor store and the name on the highway exit, Cabela’s.

“We wanted to make The Highlands more of ‘a place,’ as opposed to just a lot of things in a geographic area,” he said. “We wanted to give it a sense of place and being, and that is the intent of the master plan we are presenting.”

Walkability and enhancement of green spaces were considered, along with an eye toward any future expansion of the development.

The master plan first focuses on welcome signage, directional and informational signage.

Image Provided – This image depicts the entrance to The Highlands and what proposed signage might look like to those entering the development.

It suggests the creation of a tree-lined central boulevard and connector roads, as well as a “community activity node” that would serve as an outdoor gathering spot for The Highlands. It would be along Cabela Drive near Cabela’s where the farmers market takes place during warmer weather.

A pavilion could be constructed here, and it could be the hub for a shuttle that would transport visitors throughout The Highlands, Takacs said.

Pedestrian walking and bike trails could be established, and Takacs added numerous bicycle stations could be established within the development from where visitors would be able to rent bicycles to commute to different locations.

He also suggested wildflowers could be planted in many green areas, not just to provide beauty, but also cut down on maintenance.

The master plan also provided an enhanced pedestrian connection between the Marquee Cinemas and Kohl’s at Sims Circle, better linking Cabela Drive and The Highlands Sports Complex.

OCDA members asked for a cost breakdown of the work, and Takacs responded that had not yet been determined. He also told members not all projects had to be done at once, and they could prioritize and choose which ones they wanted to do first.

Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton, who serves as OCDA president, noted the OCDA already employs maintenance crews with the skills to do much of the work – especially landscaping.

He also thinks the OCDA needs to carefully consider at this time the best way to spend its funds

“We’re looking at landing some big tenants, and that’s going to mean an expensive build-out,” Wharton said. “We are also looking at what we have to do to get tenants in the AT&T call center building and the West Liberty (Highlands Center) building. And we’re trying to get an interchange built.

“There’s a lot of moving parts, and a lot going on. Taking care of business is job one. But it was a very nice comprehensive study.”

Wharton acknowledged the OCDA was aware of many of the needs expressed, and that tenants have been calling for more signage within The Highlands property.

“We have to get a sign package,” he said. “We need something more uniform to help them (visitors) get their way through The Highlands.

“We’re going to do the signage for sure. And we are already making some adjustments to landscaping so there’s less impact on maintenance.”

He expects the changes with signage and landscaping to happen this year.

Wharton said he also liked the idea for a shuttle service, but it would “have to be done by the private sector” and an entrepreneur who could show they could make a profit.

Commissioner Don Nickerson added the master plan showed good ideas about what The Highlands could look like.

“But it’s all about what we can afford, and there will probably be a phase-in process,” he said. “All the suggestions are good. “

Nickerson put the signage recommendations and “anything that would help to identify The Highlands” at the top of the list.

“Also, we should look into anything that can be done to improve walking access,” he continued. “Perhaps a shuttle service would be important to do as well.”

OCDA Treasurer Mary Pockl said overall she was pleased with the presentation.

“They factored in the considerations the board has talked about for the last year and a half, and we have been kicking around ideas,” she explained. “We do want to make The Highlands a destination place, and not something that is just retail and restaurants.”

Pockl agreed that the need for signage “is huge” at The Highlands and that she would “love to be able to do that big sign along I-70.”

“And I love the adding of green space,” she continued. ” A big piece of the plan is the community gathering areas. That will really draw the community more up to The Highlands.

“But the issue is always money. We will just have to put the projects into a hierarchy, and see what the main focus should be,” Pockl added.