Taylor Budzikowski | The Echo
The Town of Upland has received an anonymous donation to fund the building of two new town signs. Construction on the signs started the week of April 15.
New town signs will welcome visitors and locals into town. These signs mark Upland's recent growth and development.
"I think they will resonate with people coming in and out of town in terms of the commitment that the town has to its presence . . . its intent to continue to grow and move forward," Upland Town Manager Jonathan Perez said.
Perez explained the current wooden signs are too small and outdated. As a result, new signs will have a greater impact on the community. The pair of signs cost $65,000 and the donor's commitment was made in late Fall of 2018.
The anonymous donor permitted potential construction of new signs to become a reality.
According to the press release, "One sign will be located on Indiana 26 on the north curve entering Town of Upland. The southern sign will be on the northeast corner of Indiana 22 and Indiana 26 across from the Taylor University campus sign."
Taylor donated their land for the presence of the sign.
Perez said that Sebestyen and Williams Construction (Upland) began construction on the foundation of the South sign last week. Once the South sign is completed construction of the North sign will begin.
He anticipates both signs will be completed by mid-May 2019, weather permitting. Initially, snow and rain delayed sign construction.
Additionally, Design Collaborative (Fort Wayne) created the sign design. Perez explained that in the future the signs might include representations of Eastbrook and Taylor. Currently, the signs will solely feature the verbiage "Town of Upland."
Throughout the planning process, Perez had an overall positive experience working with council members, designers, and builders.
"We are actually to the point now when people are reaching out to us because they want to be a part of the things we are doing and want to know how they can help so that is a huge step forward," Perez said.
Though the signs were not the priority in the master planning process for Upland, the town could not pass up the opportunity when the anonymous donation was received.
Joyce Wood, an Upland resident, is looking forward to the new signs.
"They will be of the kind of quality that will give a glimpse into how we want our town to be viewed in the eyes of those who are long-term residents or visitors to our community," Wood said.
