When you rent a space to locate a new cycling gym, there are many things that have to be considered of which the signs are a very important part of.  This is yet again another reason people choose Optimum Signs to help with their projects.  We have completed hundreds of projects like this and we know what questions to ask. Because this is a franchise, we started with the corporate requirements. We reviewed color, size, shape and layout requirements and compared them to the sign code for Mequon to identify any possible issues.  We identified two possible conflicts with the current sign code.  The first was the size of the signage. The company required almost 20% more square footage than the municipality allows.  The company also required that the letters mount directly to the facade.  One of the things we have learned from doing as many projects as we have is that it is allows a good idea to engage the municipality early in the project.  It saves a ton of work and let's the municipality know that we are going to work with them. Sounds kind of funny right? There are a couple of sign companies in our area that have a reputation of wanting to fight with the city or village.  Not Optimum Signs. More to be gained by having an ally than a foe. We took the differences to Mequon and had the discussion about what we wanted to do and the measurements that we were asking for.  As we expected, the Village said we had to reduce the size of the signs and mount on a raceway.  We always ask if there was any "wiggle room" on the code. We were surprised to learn that Mequon uses the sign code as guard rails and not as a club. We were told we could present what we want to the board for approval.  Imagine my surprise when the board suggested that they would approve the extra size if we agreed to mount the letters to a raceway.  Our customer was very happy to accept the compromise.  After we received the approval of the municipality, we submitted the design changes to the franchise authority to approve.  They did as they knew some changes were going to have to be made. On the day of install, we met the electrician onsite to make sure everything that we sent to him was in place and as is the typical case, it wasn't.  We went ahead and installed the signs on the facade facing north and west but because there wasn't any additional framing added to the interior of the facade, our guys had to create a frame in the field.  We also noticed that the electrician never ran the power into the facade for the signs.  Not a problem as the electrician can connect the signs anytime. We did make one last visit to the site after the electrician ran power to the sign so we could connect the signs.  If you are opening a franchise and need corporate designed signs, please give Optimum Signs a call. We would love to work with you and your franchise management group to get you the best sign package that we can. We can be reached at 262.289.9481 or email us at info@optimumsignswi.com.