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South Monroe Historic District Branding and Signage Project
What Is This Project About?
Based on direction from the Historic District Commission, the City is beginning the process to update the branding, logo, and signage for the South Monroe Historic District.
Join our mailing list to receive updates as the project progresses.
Public Engagement Opportunities
Initial Feedback Survey
Take our brief survey to provide initial feedback on your vision for the branding and signage for the Historic District. This survey will guide the branding, logo development, and sign design process for the South Monroe Historic District. Your answers are completely anonymous and do not require you to provide any personal details.
Public Workshop
Join us on March 25, 2026 at the Dowd Center Theatre for an open forum to discuss recent survey results as well as your vision for the logo, branding, and sign design for the Historic District. The workshop will run from 4 to 7 p.m.
We will have raffles and light refreshments for those who attend!
Current Branding & Signage
The current logo for the district was established in the 1980s. It currently resembles a historic gas lamp used downtown with the slogan "Reflections of the past light the way to the future."
Current signs in the district are a mix of wood and foam core signs that are deteriorating and not visible. Over the past year, the Historic District Commission held several conversations on the best way to replace the existing signs, so staff began to research the possibilities.
Significance of the South Monroe Historic District
The South Monroe Historic District is a historically significant neighborhood that reflects the architectural and cultural evolution of the community over nearly 150 years. Rapid growth defined its early development; the area’s population tripled between 1870 and 1880 and nearly doubled again between 1880 and 1900. Over 300 structures were constructed before 1940.
Why Rebrand?
Despite its rich history, the district experienced a period of limited investment between 2007 and 2015, during which many properties fell into disrepair and community activity declined. However, since 2015, the neighborhood has seen a resurgence of private investment. Numerous historic homes have been thoughtfully renovated and are now owner-occupied, signaling a renewed sense of pride and vitality.
Today, the South Monroe Historic District is at a pivotal moment. A new and engaged community is taking shape. It values the district’s heritage while looking ahead to a vibrant future. As part of ongoing revitalization efforts, the district seeks a cohesive and compelling brand identity, including a logo and signage design, that reflects both its historic character and its evolving identity as a thriving and welcoming place to live, visit, and invest in.
While we firmly believe "reflections of the past light the way to the future", we are looking for ways to celebrate the district as a whole and its new sense of pride and vitality through updated branding and sign designs. This project will include various public engagement opportunities to get a better sense of how district residents identify with the current slogan and branding and what they would like to see moving into the future.