The Wilmington I-95 signs, a costly and ambitious project, have been a source of amusement and confusion for locals and visitors alike. These large, blue signs, initially erected in September 2023, were intended to promote attractions in Delaware's biggest city. However, for nearly three years, they remained blank, sparking jokes and curiosity. The first organization to be featured on the signs was OperaDelaware, which made its debut in June, promoting the only professional opera company in the state. This development was met with surprise, as it seemed a little odd that OperaDelaware was the first to be featured. The signs, located at Exit 6 on both I-95 north and south, have been a topic of discussion and scrutiny. The program, run by the city with assistance from the Riverfront Development Corp. and Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, was largely funded by the state bond bill. The main impediment to finding businesses willing to invest in placement on the larger I-95 signs was the lack of wayfinding signs, which were installed last year. The program aims to guide people to different sites and attractions throughout the city, and most replaced out-of-date existing signs. The signs are now a source of pride for the city, a high-profile place to boast about what Wilmington has to offer travelers on I-95. However, the lack of other attractions on the signs has raised questions and concerns. The Delaware Children's Museum has also recently signed up to be on the signs, but several other large Wilmington attractions were unaware of the program and were not contacted. The leaders of these attractions said they didn't know about the signs when contacted by The News Journal/Delaware Online. This has led to a discussion about the effectiveness of the program and the need for better communication and outreach. The solicitation process is left to the outside third-party vendor, Delaware Logos, which has been contracted to solicit businesses to populate Delaware highway signs for 27 years. The company has contacted about 20 organizations, but some of the most popular spots in the city, such as The Grand, The Queen, and The Delaware Contemporary, were not among them. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of the outreach efforts and the need for better communication with potential clients. The program has the potential to be a valuable tool for promoting attractions in Wilmington, but it will require better communication and outreach to ensure its success. The signs are a costly and ambitious project, and it is important to ensure that they are used effectively to promote the city's attractions. The program has the potential to be a valuable tool for promoting attractions in Wilmington, but it will require better communication and outreach to ensure its success.
