Bloomfield council approves up to $5,000 for Arts District branding design

The Bloomfield Town Council voted to appropriate up to $5,000 from the council contingency account to pay for professional branding and schematic design for gateway signage in the Graanby Street/Cottage Grove Road corridor, part of a broader Arts District branding effort.

Miss Burkowitz, chair of the economic development commission working on the TIF area, told the council the request covers design services only, not purchase or installation of signs. “I don't want a sign that lists a bunch of tenants … I'm looking for a sign that's informational. I want the sign to be reflective of Bloomfield,” she said, describing a forward‑looking brand and schematic options the town would own.

Councilors discussed whether to use local artists and university students in the design process and whether the town should require additional community input. Several councilors urged outreach to local artists and the University of Hartford as part of the design and community vetting, and Deputy Mayor Lloyd noted the selected vendor (Artifacts) has regional experience and can handle both artistic concepts and structural design work if the council wanted that scope.

A motion to appropriate up to $5,000 for the design passed. Councilors emphasized that any physical sign fabrication, installation costs or specific site work would be separate and would require additional review and funding approval.

The council directed staff and the commission to share design drafts with businesses and residents and to return to the council with final design recommendations and any proposed capital or installation funding requests.