HAMLET — People driving into the Seaboard City now have new signs welcoming them to town.
After “quite a lengthy process,” City Manager Jonathan Blanton said two new signs went up today in Hamlet: one across from Richmond Community College; the other at the intersection of N.C. 177 and McDonald Avenue, behind Convenience Corner near W.D. James Park.
The 12-foot by 4-foot signs were created and installed by TRG Sign Company in Hamlet and are made of synthetic stucco, a foam-like material —although they look like stone and wood — according to Blanton.
And the background color, or course, is Hamlet Rams red.
The City Council has been debating the type, location and other specifics regarding the signs for more than a year, Blanton said.
The city budgeted $15,000 for the creation and placement of four signs.
Blanton said the order for the first two was placed in April and they weren’t expected to be ready until mid-October, so he was surprised when he got the call that they were ready.
The other two signs are expected to be complete and installed before the end of the year.
As for the locations, Blanton said one would go across from City Lake. The site for the second sign hasn’t yet been set in stone, but it could be placed on N.C. 177 near Earle Franklin Drive.
The signs are another part of a city beautification project, which also includes revamping Hamlet City Lake.
Blanton said he has been meeting with artists about repainting a mural near the Senior Center.
