South Bend Wayfinding

The City of South Bend established a new Wayfinding Signage Program for its residents and visitors. In total, the Master Plan includes the installation of approximately 120 signs, located downtown and throughout city limits, directing users toward high-interest attractions and landmarks.

When the City needed assistance in both the siting of physical sign locations and the development of construction details required for installation and necessary permitting, they sought the services of JPR. JPR then worked closely with the City of South Bend to split the overall Master Plan into manageable phases.

Phase 1 was completed in the fall of 2019. During this phase, the design team took the sign locations listed in the Master Plan and aligned them with local knowledge of users, utilities, and an analysis of viewing obstructions to determine the best location for each sign. Once the precise location was chosen, the construction details required for installation were also developed for each sign.

Phase 1 included four pedestrian kiosks located along the newly completed downtown Michigan Street corridor (designed by JPR), from Colfax to Western Avenue. It also encompassed a “Welcome” wayfinding sign for travelers exiting the Indiana Toll Road at SR 933, along with 14 new pole mounted vehicular wayfinding signs with arrows directing to major interest points.

Phase 2, which was completed in 2020, consisted of 36 additional wayfinding signs. This included five pedestrian kiosks located along Main Street, parking signage, and additional pole mounted vehicular wayfinding signs.

Phase 3 is in the process of being coordinated with City staff, and is planned for installation in the summer of 2023. It will include an additional 20 to 22 signs throughout the City and around the Potawatomi Zoo.

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