To create an easier focal point highlighting the four tenants of Bridgewater Center, Throgmartin-Henke Development has requested two 15-feet monument signs. The signs will be placed on 146th Street and Carey Road.
Westfield Senior Planner Kevin Todd said the signs, which will be matching, will have 90-square-feet on each side with 75-square –feet available for tenant information. Each will have electronic message abilities to show fuel prices at Rickers.
“Bridgewater ordinance doesn’t allow this type of signage, but it is consistent with what the city allows elsewhere,” Todd said, adding that the city allows 120-square-feet for these types of signs.
The monument signs are requested in place of the individual ground signs at each business and separate entrances. The center’s tenants include 21st Amendment Liquors, Rickers Gas Station and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market. A fourth outlet is available but does not have plans at this point.
“Instead of having six or seven individual signs, there will be two signs with all the information,” Todd said.
“It’s a more comprehensive approach,” said Jon Dobosiewicz, attorney for the developers. “Fresh Thyme would not have the ability or exposure on 146th Street without this sign.”
Dobosiewicz said the sign will illuminate green lights instead of red with the gas prices. At night the sign also will only light the lettering and logos of the four businesses rather than the entire piece.
“It will be brick with cast stone or limestone accents (similar to other Bridgewater features) and the ordinance doesn’t mandate that,” he said.
The Bridgewater development amendment received a unanimous favorable recommendation following its public hearing because there was no remonstrance from the public. Dobosiewicz asked for the early vote so the item could be on the Sept. 22 Westfield City Council agenda.
“We’d like to construct it sooner rather than later,” he said. “The next meeting is Oct. 13 and that takes a month away from us. We need lead time for construction and this allows us to get a head start by three weeks.”
