Mind your language, Downtown Association warns

Sault Ste. Marie's Downtown Association is drafting recommendations for City Hall after association members questioned the wording used on Queenstown parking signs.

"The parking enforcement signs could use a little re-wording. I don't know if we could put that on their radar," Angela Romano told the business group's November meeting.

"They're not the most welcoming," Romano said, noting that tourism and downtown expert Roger Brooks had expressed similar concerns when he visited the Sault in 2018.

Romano expressed enthusiasm for the new wayfinding signage recently installed by the city, but described our parking signage as "kind of angry-sounding."

"It's like public parking, strictly enforced. It's not the most welcoming."

"I always look at things from a tourism lens. I do remember that was brought up by Roger Brooks when he was here."

"Is it possible to find out if the city has any plans to redo some of the parking enforcement signs downtown?" Romano asked.

Board member Paul Mason said he often sees visitors leaving after finding the city's signs confusing about weekend and evening parking.

It's more important to emphasize the two hours of free parking in downtown municipal lots than the times when enforcement action will take place, Mason said.

Paul Scornaienchi from Ergo Office Plus is expected to take the signage concerns to city officials as part of recommendations he's preparing following a recent downtown beautification audit.

Scornaienchi said it's important the downtown parking signs convey the same friendly tone used in our new wayfinding signage.