Fitchburg, Mass., In an effort to herald its downtown resurgence, a consortium of the City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State College, and Montachusett Area Regional Transit (MART) commissioned Sunshine Sign Company to develop and install a prominent sign at the highly trafficked crossroads of three state highways (Routes 12, 2A and 31).

A renaissance of the Fitchburg business district was well underway even before the first meeting between Dr. Robert Antonucci, President of Fitchburg State College, Mohamad Khan, Administrator of MART, and Ellen DiGeronimo, Downtown Coordinator of the Fitchburg Economic Development Office.

New stores, restaurants and businesses were bringing people downtown to Main Street. And, college enrollment was swelling at nearby Fitchburg State College, causing a positive effect with housing demand.

On a vacant lot next to the MART Parking Garage, it was decided that a prominent sign would be erected that not only created a "sense of place" for the MART garage and provided directions to the Fitchburg State College campus, but enhanced the total visual experience for visitors coming to the downtown area.

With this objective in mind, the Sunshine team set forth to create a magnificent two-story, 30-foot wide custom aluminum ID sign structure mounted to template set concrete pier-type footings. Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane was finish painted. Dimensional header text and vinyl graphics were applied.

Along the production pathway, a number of issues threatened the project including the community's desire to save an orphaned tree, the presence of below grade utilities and conduit, City ordinance regulations, and various engineering and logistical challenges. Working closely with city officials, Sunshine delivered a sign of which all could be proud.

"Our sign has been well received," according to DiGeronimo. "The design is in harmony with its environment and is welcoming both during the day and in the evening when it is lighted."

Sunshine Sign Company of Grafton, MA, is a national commercial sign company specializing in architectural fabrication and advanced manufacturing techniques. For more than 25 years, we have delivered custom-crafted sign identities and visual communications to a variety of clients including schools, hospitals, hotels, retail stores, banks, offices, and government buildings. Please visit our web site www.SunshineSign.com for more information.