Geneva sign back on job

By GREG SCELLIN
Signal Editor

The installation of the Geneva arrow sign in the middle of G Street last Thursday marks the near completion of the two block entrance project into Geneva. The project, which was partially funded by CDBG funds, has included the removal of the failing road surface, stabilizing dirt work and the pouring of new cement. The two blocks of new cement between 11th and 13th Street on G Street has a center lane of original brick pavers from downtown, along with these pavers being used in crosswalks on 13th and 11th streets.
The final piece of the project will be the installation of historical-style streetlights, which will match the newer streetlights in the city’s downtown center, on both sides of G Street. The installation process is well on its way to completion.
The refurbished Geneva arrow sign was restored by the Nebraska Sign Company of Lincoln. Geneva resident Bill Turek, who has a history with the sign, hopes it will be lit up during the day in the future to further draw attention to the sign.
“The sign has a very long history in Geneva,” said Turek during a phone call to the local newspaper. “I think the Nebraska Sign Company has done a fine job restoring it.”
The original Geneva arrow sign was commissioned by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce in 1952 after about an 11-year process. A wooden Geneva sign, which had hung across Highway 81, was removed in the 1940s due to safety concerns. Working on the project were C.M. Humphrey, Carl Schneider and Howard Hamilton.