Signage Design Program

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I. Introduction
The Town of Barrington is seeking proposals from qualified planning, urban design, or architectural consulting firms to assist with the review, public engagement, and development of a comprehensive signage program. The purpose is to evaluate the Town’s existing ordinances, regulations, and guidelines related to signage and to create a consistent and community-supported signage framework, with a specific focus on commercial signage design standards.

II. Background
Barrington’s signage policies, while functional, are fragmented and outdated in parts. The Town seeks to ensure signage is not only compliant and legible but also complements community character, enhances the public realm, and contributes to aesthetic and economic vitality. This project will involve a review of current policies, extensive public engagement—including a visual preference survey—and the development of design guidelines and standards tailored for commercial areas and applicable townwide.

III. Scope of Work
The selected consultant will:

Phase 1: Analysis and Assessment

• Review and evaluate existing Town ordinances, zoning regulations, and design guidelines pertaining to signage, including but not necessarily limited to existing legislation and policy, the Barrington Village Design Study and Design Guidelines for the Barrington Business District, and the Town’s climate action plan entitled Ready & Resilient Barrington.
• Identify regulatory gaps, redundancies, inconsistencies, and areas needing clarification or modernization.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of signage standards in similar or peer communities.
• Prepare a summary assessment and present findings to Town staff, Town Solicitor, and the Planning Board.

Phase 2: Public Engagement

• Design and implement a visual preference survey to gauge community sentiment regarding signage design, scale, materials, illumination, and placement.
• Facilitate at least two (2) public workshops to present options and gather feedback.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including business owners, property managers, and the Barrington Economic Development Commission.

Phase 3: Drafting and Implementation Framework

• Develop a comprehensive signage program and design guidelines that: - Support consistency and clarity across districts. - Promote design excellence and legibility in commercial signage. - Address special signage types (e.g., window signs, monument signs, digital signs). - Align with Barrington’s character and vision as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.
• Provide a regulatory framework for adoption, including suggested zoning amendments and any other applicable Town Code amendments.
• Present a final report and implementation plan to Town staff, Town Solicitor, and the Planning Board.

IV. Proposal Requirements - Proposals must include:

• Firm Overview and qualifications relevant to zoning, design guidelines, and public engagement.
• Team Members and key personnel assigned to the project.
• Approach and Methodology, including any innovative tools for outreach or analysis.
• Detailed Work Plan with timeline, milestones, and deliverables.
• Examples of Similar Work completed in other municipalities.
• Project Budget not to exceed $20,000, and must include itemized costs, hourly rates, and firm’s indirect overhead rate.
• Three References from recent, relevant municipal clients.

V. Timeline
Milestone | Date

RFP Issued | June 18, 2025

Questions Due | July 14, 2025 (Submit to Herb Durfee: For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. )

Proposals Due | No later than Noon on July 18, 2025

Consultant Selected | August 4, 2025 (Town Council)

Project Kickoff | (estimated) August 18, 2025

Project Completion (estimated) | November 21, 2025

VI. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on: - Understanding of project goals and community context. - Experience with zoning, signage design, and regulatory writing. - Quality and creativity of public engagement strategy. - Qualifications of personnel and proposed approach. - Quality of similar past projects. - Cost-effectiveness and schedule.

VII. Submission Instructions
Submit one (1) digital copy (PDF format) and three (3) printed copies to: Herbert Durfee III, Director of Planning, Building & Resiliency Town of Barrington 283 County Road Barrington, RI 02806 Email: For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. Submissions must be received by Noon on Friday, July 18, 2025.

VIII. Reservation of Rights
The Town reserves the right to: - Reject any or all proposals. - Waive informalities or irregularities. - Request additional information from any proposer. - Cancel or modify this RFP process at any time.