Sturgis council, chamber concur with Aker’s proposal to put Meade’s points of interests on I-90 signage (MCTH-Doreen Creed)-Alan Aker is on a mission. He wants Meade County communities to have the same informational status when it comes to the SD Department of Transportation’s I-90 signage as its neighboring counties of Pennington and Lawrence “They are far ahead of Meade County in this regard,” according to the commissioner, “Their I-90 signage identifies them as places people can enjoy the national forest, winter sports, historic districts, museums, fish hatcheries, fairgrounds, and scenic drives.” Aker is taking his project to all the county’s communities along the I-90 corridor to seek a consensus on the signage with the municipalities that are along the route. He got unanimous approval for his recommendations from the Sturgis City Council and the Sturgis Chamber’s Director Heidi Kruse on Monday. He will be approaching Piedmont and Summerset next. City manager Daniel Ainslie, speaking in support of the Aker proposal, said, people have to travel to Rapid City before there is I-90 signage to either the Black Hills or the national forest. “We have both at our exits,” he said. The idea behind this project is to highlight our access points, enhance and increase visitor traffic. We want people to know we have a different lifestyle in addition to motorcycles,” Ainslie continued. “People travel thousands miles to come to the Black Hills and some would pull off at Sturgis or Piedmont before Rapid City, if, there was signage noting the forests.” Kruse said she wholeheartedly supported additional signage. She said the Chamber, which also a visitors’ bureau, has people continually stop at its office on Junction Avenue saying they, “Can’t find the VA (veteran’s administration).” Aker noted both Rapid City and Spearfish have visitors’ centers I-90 signs – but not Sturgis. Aker listed numerous of Sturgis area points of interest not on the state’s I-90 signage including: the BLM road, the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, the national back country byway, the BLM recreation area, a wildlife refuge, national forest trailhead, Bear Butte Lake, the Fort Meade Calvary Museum. He noted even if the fort’s museum is not open year around, visitors can always take a walking tour around the frontier outpost. Aker asked the council if they had a preference to signage being installed at Exit 30 or Exit 32. Taking an opportunity to chide the state for not widening Lazelle Street, Aker said, “Winner now has a five-lane state highway. I realize both roads through Sturgis are now three-lane.” The council didn’t indicate a preference. When asked if it was difficult to get the state to change or add signage, Aker responded that he wanted to tell the state that the affected cities and county were united. He said there are signage rules but there’s room for disagreement on rules. I won’t submit this proposal and accept it, if they don’t like it. If they’d (SDDOT) accepts the whole thing, that would be the best.” Aker said he also wants the non-descriptive name “BLM Road” changed to Horse Soldier Road which would tie into its historical significance. He is also proposing that Stagebarn Canyon Road be added to Meade County’s Scenic Byways list. Vanocker Road already is, again there is no state signage indicating it. Aker also proposed adding directional signs for the trailheads, byways and other opportunities on service roads and at overpasses. The Piedmont area resident said, “Signage along I-90 is incomplete and inaccurate. Throughout the years there have been several changes including new Forest Service trailhead access, new scenic and backcountry byways and newly-incorporated towns,” but the I-90 signage has remained the same. “Meade County has the quickest access in the state to the national forest trailheads and byways, BLM trails and byways, but there is not a single sign along I-90 that mentions the national forest. Better signage for our county’s tourist and recreation assets will help grow our tourism sector and serve another purpose, too,” according to Aker. “It’s a signal to the outer world about what kind of place we are. For businesses and people considering relocating here. It’s a large part of their first impression of our county. Finally, it’s a signal to us. Although, we notice signs less and less, as we drive by them every day, a new sign is a reminder of our opportunities to enjoy the public places we all own. Even years after a sign has been in place, it’s a reminder of our on-going opportunity to take a hike, take a ride, or see a museum. “I realize some of our communities may not want additional visitors to some of these places, particularly at the smaller trailheads. I’m sensitive to the downsides of additional traffic and use, and will carefully consider requests to delete some of these requests from my final proposal. I encourage potential opponents of some of these changes to carefully consider the positive effects of increased use of these resources: Economic development, increased property value; potential for increased federal maintenance dollars and volunteer support as trailheads and trails experience more use health and educational benefits to local residents who respond to the signs,” the Meade commissioner has stated. Former Sturgis councilman Joe DesJarlais noted people are confused about locations. He said last summer he working in front of his house. Tourists stopped and asked, “How do you get to the Black Hills?” Akers proposal includes the following changes: At the Sturgis service roads add: At Exit 32, change Vanocker Canyon sign to National Forest Access and Vanocker Canyon Scenic Byway; At Exit 32, add Bear Butte Lake and National Wildlife Refuge to Bear Butte State Park; At Exit 32, add National Historic Place and Cavalry Museum to Fort Meade VA Hospital; At Exit 30 add Winter Sports and Deadwood National Historic District (as well as the other Exit 17 to Deadwood in Lawrence County); At Exit 34, add Fort Meade National Recreation Area to sign stating Black Hills National Cemetery and VFW Memorial Park and Chapel; At Exit 34, a separate sign stating: National Forest Access, Centennial Trail Trailhead, Horse Soldier Road National Backcountry Byway; At Exit 44, one sign stating: Piedmont and Chimney Canyon Road; At Exit 44, a separate sign stating: National Forest Access, Trailhead to Red Gate-White Gate Geologic Area; On Eastbound I-90, prior to Exit 44, one sign stating: Piedmont, Summerset, Black Hawk next 4 exits; At Exit 46, one sign stating: Summerset, Piedmont, Elk Creek Road; At Exit 46, a separate sign stating: National Forest Access, Piedmont Fire Trail ATV Trailhead; At Exit 48, one sign stating: Summerset, Piedmont, Stage Stop Road; At Exit 48, a separate sign stating: National Forest Access and Stagebarn Canyon Scenic Byway; On Westbound I-90, prior to Exit 52, one sign stating: Black Hawk, Summerset, Piedmont Next 4 Exits; At Exit 52, one sign stating: Black Hawk, Summerset Peaceful Pines Road at Exit 52, and a separate sign stating: SD Game Fish and Parks Department and Outdoor Campus and Park.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 21:57:13 +0000
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