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News from the City of Shakopee
www.ShakopeeMN.gov
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Summer 2016
Public Works creates, installs and maintains
thousands of custom street signs
Take a walk around your neighborhood and you will see Todd Schumacher’s handiwork
on display at every street corner and sometimes in between.
Schumacher – the city’s unofficial “sign
guy” – created many of Shakopee’s street
signs in a small shop inside the city’s old
public works building. With its walls
covered in posters of traffic symbols and
rolls of bright, reflective material, the sign
shop is where hundreds of street name and
regulatory signs are produced every year.
“As the city is growing, we are spending
more and more time making signs,”
Schumacher said.
Street signs are an integral way
communities regulate, warn and guide
road users. They not only maintain
order and safety, but are also valuable
wayfinding markers for drivers, bicyclists
and pedestrians. Making the signs in-
house provides the city flexibility and saves
money.
SIGN STANDARDS
Street signs are basic enough. Essentially,
street signs are bare aluminum panels covered
in reflective material. Shapes and letters are
cut from colored, transparent film that has an
adhesive backing.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has standards for street signs, which
include design, size and material. Reflectivity is particularly important to ensure the signs
are visible at night.
City News
Sign Shop
Mayor’s Message
Calendar
New City Hall
Budget Process
Franchise Fees
West End Study
Ask the City
Emerald Ash Borer
Public Safety Corner
Election Judges
Parks and Recreation
SandVenture Aquatic Park
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Continued on page 6
Summer 2016 3
Cover Photo:
Public Works
Maintenance Operator Todd
Schumacher hangs banners and
flags along First Avenue before
Memorial Day.
This way to the sign shop
Messenger
The Public Works Department is responsible for
designing, producing and installing more than
4,200 street signs throughout the city.