The City of Norfolk is excited to unveil the design for a new gateway sign in the River Point District, a key feature of a $1.125 million Civic and Community Center Financing Fund grant awarded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

This project, developed in partnership with the River Point Creative District, will enhance the downtown area and serve as a signature landmark at the entrance to the River Point District.

"Working with the City of Norfolk has been a rewarding experience. The expertise and dedication of the city staff have ensured a smooth process from the start,” said Kara Weander-Gaster, Director of the River Point Creative District. “With input from the community, we have created a gateway sign that seamlessly blends with downtown Norfolk’s historic charm and future vision. We look forward to the beautification and enhancements this sign will bring to the western entrance of the district."

The design concept was shaped with input from local stakeholders and residents. In January, the community was invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on key elements of the gateway sign design. The insights gathered from these surveys were carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final concept.

The gateway sign is just one piece of a larger initiative, which also includes festoon and alleyway lighting. These features were identified as priorities for the downtown district through the River Point Creative District’s strategic planning process in September 2022. Additional input was collected through a downtown survey conducted in November 2022, along with discussions with key stakeholders.