Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.C
Meeting Date: October 6, 2025
From: Ryan Hunt, Communications & Events Manager
Title: Wayfinding Signage Update
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an informational item for presentation purposes only.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Cathedral City's current wayfinding signage system was installed in 2016. Since that time, the city has experienced significant growth and development, with numerous new destinations, businesses, and landmarks established throughout the community. The existing signage no longer accurately reflects the current landscape of the City of Cathedral City and requires updating to provide visitors and residents with clear, current directional information.
In early 2025, staff began working with the contracted design team to update the wayfinding signage system. This update addresses two primary needs:
1.Accuracy: Include destinations and landmarks that have been built or established since 2016
2.Specificity: Replace generic directional terms with specific destination names to improve navigation clarity
DISCUSSION:
Design Concept
The updated wayfinding signage will feature a refreshed design celebrating the City of Cathedral City's unique identity and cultural landmarks. The current plan is to implement wayfinding signage in four (4) phases. This initial phase focuses on the downtown and the arts district. The design incorporates watermark elements showcasing recognizable City of Cathedral City icons, including:
Hot air balloons (celebrating the city's signature balloon festival) Lalo Guerrero statue
Fountain of Life
Bell Tower
Other identifiable community markers
These visual elements will create a cohesive design aesthetic reinforcing the City of Cathedral City's brand identity while providing functional directional information.
Color Palette:
The signage features a warm terracotta/desert orange color scheme reflecting the City of Cathedral City's desert environment while creating a welcoming, contemporary aesthetic.
This color palette:
Distinguishes the City of Cathedral City's wayfinding system with a unique, recognizable identity
Complements the natural desert landscape and architectural character of the community
Provides high visibility while maintaining an elegant, modern appearance Creates visual continuity across all wayfinding locations throughout the city The warm tones evoke the sunset colors and natural beauty of the Coachella Valley, reinforcing the City of Cathedral City's connection to its desert setting.
Language and Destination Updates
Staff has worked with the design contractor to refine the language used on signage to provide more specific and helpful directional information. Key updates include:
Specific Destinations Replace Generic Terms:
"Senior Center" (spelled out in full, replacing "Senior Ctr") "Big League Dreams" (replacing "Sports Park")
"The Perez Art District" (replacing "Perez Corridor")
"Dining & Entertainment" (replacing "Shop & Dine")
Individual theater names: "CVRep Theatre" and "Mary Pickford Theatre" (replacing generic "Theaters")
New Destinations Added:
Agua Caliente Casinos (added to Date Palm, The Perez Art District, and HWY 111/East Palm Canyon corridor signage)
Cathedral Cove Center (new dining destination on HWY 111) Implementation Timeline for Phase I
September 2025: Design finalization
October 6, 2025: Informational presentation to City Council November 2025: Installation November 21-23, 2025:
Target completion date: Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival The installation timeline is designed to ensure the updated wayfinding signage is in place for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, one of the city's premier signature events. The new signage, featuring hot air balloon watermark elements, will enhance the visitor experience during this major community celebration and provide improved directional information for the anticipated influx of festival attendees.
Benefits to the Community
The updated wayfinding signage system will provide several benefits:
1. Improved Visitor Experience: Clear, specific directional information helps visitors navigate to destinations efficiently
2. Economic Development Support: Highlighting key commercial and entertainment destinations supports local businesses
3. Brand Identity: Design elements featuring local landmarks reinforce Cathedral City's unique community character
4. Current Information: Signage reflects the city's growth and development over the past nine years
FISCAL IMPACT:
The wayfinding signage update has $75,000/year in Communications and Events operating budget in the City’s FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 biennial budget. This funding supports the phased implementation, maintenance, and ongoing updates to the wayfinding system to ensure signage remains current as the city continues to grow and develop.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
This project directly supports the following Strategic Plan goals:
Goal B: Community Investment
Action B-7: Improve wayfinding signage to direct visitors to destinations in the community (Year 0-1)
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Wayfinding Signage Design Concepts
2. Signage Location Map