Stacked Stone Monument Signs in Johns Creek, GA for Old Alabama Square Shopping Center

 

 

Recently, we were contacted by the property management company for Old Alabama Square, a 114,000 s.f. shopping center at 3005 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek, GA.  The property manager had received numerous requests from tenants within the shopping center for improved representation at the entrances to the center, and she was asking us to come up with a solution that she could present to property ownership.

Background Information

The Old Alabama Square shopping center is anchored by The Fresh Market.  Wanting to get a quick meal?  Among the tenant mix are local dining favorites including Santinos Pizzeria, Senor Patron, Village Burger, American Wing, Sushi Sumo, and Firehouse Subs.  There are specialty stores including Verizon Wireless, Edible Arrangements, State Farm Insurance, Closet Exchange, Dojo Karate, Suburban Medical, Occulist Optique, One Price Cleaners, Kera Vie Salon, Omega Learning, Solar Eclipse Tanning, Nails & Nails Salon, and Rob E. Sable DDS.  Need a prescription filled?  There a very convenient Walgreen’s right at the main entrance.

Confronting the Challenges

Like most building or construction projects, there were a number of issues that had to be overcome before a viable solution could even be offered.  First, the current sign ordinance for the City of Johns Creek only allowed for a maximum of two monuments – – despite the fact that there were three entrances to the property.  Second, the existing monument signs on the property exceeded the total allowable square footage for the property – – which was based on acreage.  So, any changes made to the existing monuments meant that they would have to be brought into code.

Keys to Success

Keeping the lines of communication open is a big key with any project, and that was certainly the case with this one.  Fortunately, we were working with a property manager who is a professional, and one who recognized the value of treating the local Planning & Development office as a business partner rather than as an adversary.  Several months into the project – – during a meeting with the Deputy Director of Community Development for the City of Johns Creek – – we were informed that an advisory board had been formed to recommend changes to the existing sign ordinance.  The recommended changes would allow for a third monument, which would provide additional space that would allow us to come up with a suitable design solution that would include representation for small businesses whose road front visibility to that point had been limited.  The third monument would also allow us to designate for each tenant an entrance that would allow passing traffic to quickly identify the entrance that would get them into and out of the shopping center in the most efficient manner – – helping to ease traffic congestion.

The End Result

For their part, the Deputy Director of Community Development and the department staff at the City of Johns Creek are to be commended for their approach throughout the process – – enforcing the rules and guidelines, while at the same time providing enough flexibility to ultimately allow the project to be approved.  Because of the partnership that was developed between Big Mouth Signs, the property manager, property owner, and the City of Johns Creek, we were able to satisfy all parties with a solution that made sense for everyone.

Why Big Mouth Signs?

Because we’ll treat your sign project as our own.  We’ll work as though finding the right solution for your sign project will affect the future success of our business.  Because we want to become your partner in business.  So, if you have a project that you need a sign company that will become more than just another vendor/supplier/contractor, then give us a call at (770) 381-9300.

 

Written by:  Big Mouth Signs – Lilburn, GA