Script Lorain sign could see installation by early winter

LORAIN — Taking after Cleveland and Parma, Lorain is on track to have hashtag-worthy new signage along its waterfront. A three-dimensional script "Lorain" sign, similar to those in Cuyahoga County, is being made by Kuhn Fabricating and could be installed later this year at the northeast corner of West Erie Avenue and Broadway. Andrea Neal, a local realty agent and one of the sign's organizers, said the effort is a collaboration among Lorain residents, including herself; Kuhn Fabricating owner Lewie Kuhn; developer Jon Veard Jr.; designers Brian Bartlebaugh and numerous donors to get the project off the ground. "The main idea, for me, was to draw people to the city. We're refurbishing the downtown area and I thought it was appropriate to have that sign there for people to come and take a picture, make it your backdrop and then of course … go and visit the restaurants and what have you throughout the city," she said. The project will cost about $25,000, with donations funding the sign itself, as well as landscaping and lighting. Neal said an anonymous donor helped cover the entire cost, as well as other locals lending their support. Once installed the white, powder-coated steel sign will be visible from the Bascule Bridge, as well as the Ariel Hotel and down to around the 400 block of Broadway, Neal said. She hopes it will attract tourism like the script Cleveland signs do around the larger metropolitan area — often seen on social media as the backdrop for group photos, proposals and brand announcements. Kuhn estimated his workers have put about 200 hours into creating the 16-foot tall sign and said it should be ready to go to SK Finishing on West Park Drive for powder coating in the next couple weeks. Once completed it will be placed mounted to a pair of steel posts and anchored into a stepped, concrete base. "Lorain has an opportunity to be a tourism area; they're not making any more water so that's one of the assets we need to capitalize on," Neal said. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.