Waterville: Village banks on new logo, slogan
10/20/2004Waterville is banking on the lure of its historical sites to create an exciting image that will attract businesses and tourists.
A committee of officials and residents has worked since January to design a logo and slogan for the village. The committee came up with a logo that includes the catchphrase 'Waterville: on the banks of history' and features the village's bridge at Roche de Bouef, which was the longest reinforced concrete railroad bridge in the world when it was built in the early 1900s.
Council member Pauline Glaza, who led the committee, presented the logo design to the village council last week. The council is scheduled to decide Monday whether to adopt the suggested logo and slogan.
"Waterville is going to need to become a destination for tourism if we are going to survive once U.S. 24 goes around us," Ms. Glaza said. "This logo was a first step in bringing people here."
A new U.S. 24 Fort-to-Port Highway will be built between the Port of Toledo and Fort Wayne, Ind. The project is scheduled for construction starting in 2008.
Ms. Glaza said she wants to incorporate the logo into the village's letterheads and Web site, a new resident information packet, and economic development brochures aimed at businesses thinking about coming to Waterville.
She said she hopes the village will hire a Bowling Green State University student as an intern to update all the village materials.
It would cost the village an estimated $8,000 to hire a full-time intern for 16 weeks and pay for printing new letterheads, brochures, and resident packets. Jay Bahr, village administrator, said he would incorporate the costs into the draft of next year's operating budget, which council will consider in the next several weeks.
Mayor Charles Peyton said he thought the committee did "an outstanding job" with defining a new image for the village.
"I hope we can continue to make this progress and happen," he said.
The committee started by deciding what makes Waterville a good place to live and work. Members of the committee appreciated its small-town atmosphere, low crime rate, and extensive parks, but decided that what makes the village unique is its historic value.
Ms. Glaza said the nearby Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic site in Maumee will make the village an even more likely tourist destination for history enthusiasts when it is renovated.
The committee brainstormed for slogans and came up with dozens of possibilities, such as "Jewel of the Midwest," "Your River Treasure," "Where History Bridges the Possible," and "Welcoming Waterville."
For their final recommendation, the committee decided on a slogan that combines the village's historic character and location along the Maumee River. Ms. Glaza said she welcomes public input on the logo and slogan.
Janice Braida, a member of the committee with a background in marketing, said she is very pleased with the logo. She said that although the logo and slogan focus on history, the logo has a modern design.
"It sends a clear message that we're looking to the future," she said. "It's a fresh strategy for Waterville to distinguish itself."