Advocacy

Plus 15 Signage

The Issue:

The signs in Calgary's +15 pedestrian system are regulated by the City of Calgary. The original design was developed in the 1980's. With new additions to the system, changes in the design and decoration of these quasi public areas, and the passage of time, the graphic systems have become outdated. Owners seek more flexibility, more alternatives and options in the signage provision for plus 15 areas.

The implications to the industry:

Owners are constrained in what they can do in directing traffic and identifying routes through +15 areas in their property. The signs, in the view of many, do not serve their intended purpose. The system is very expensive because it mandates a wide variety of different signs of different shapes, etc. Owners are "locked" into to specific graphic styles which may not be consistent with their building's colour scheme. Often, due to the detail of the system, and because of the policy, owners are constrained to a few suppliers of signs. Delays are frequent and expensive and offer owners little choice.

What BOMA has done:

BOMA has been working on this matter for over two years. BOMA has strenuously encouraged the City to take action with a complete system review of the sign and graphics requirement. Industry members met on several occasions with the City. In some instance our advice was taken into consideration and at other times it was completely ignored. BOMA has met with Planning Department officials, and even the Mayor and Senior Administrators in an effort to prompt action. BOMA was given an undertaking at a senior level that this project was in the Planning Department 2000 Work plan.

Current Status:

There is an hiatus at the moment. No action has been taken by the department despite several meetings.

Next Activity:

BOMA has written a letter to the planner responsible for the program, with copies to the Director of Planning and Mayor Duerr, admonishing the Department for its failure to act on its own promises. BOMA's Advocacy Team will follow up to the letter shortly. (1 November 2000)