Best Public Improvement Project

Investment in public infrastructure and physical amenities convey a positive message about the value of the commercial district and what it has to offer. Whether it is water or power lines, landscaping or parking areas, investments in public infrastructure create an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy. The nominees in this category represent public improvement project/activities that have created positive impact for the Main Street District. Either of the following criteria applies:

Improvements made to public facilities/spaces   

Or

Projects funded with private dollars, for public benefit

Hyatt Piñon Pointe Historical Plaques

The Sedona Main Street Program is proud to nominate the Hyatt Piñon Pointe’s program of plaques honoring Sedona history as the state’s Best Public Improvement Project.

 

Hyatt Piñon Pointe is a new resort in Sedona with a 32,000 SF retail center.  When the open-air retail center was designed by architect John Sather of Swaback Partners of Phoenix, he incorporated several recessed ‘niches’ in the exterior walls of the pedestrian space.  As the building neared completion, John and Hyatt Piñon Pointe management agreed that informative plaques of Sedona history would be desired rather than advertising signs.  Phase I, resulted in 8 attractive metal plaques incorporating brief stories and historic photos all provided by the Sedona Historical Society/Sedona Heritage Museum.  The plaques proved to be so popular, that Hyatt Piñon Pointe management asked for an additional 8 plaques that were installed in May 2005 phase II.

 

In Phase I, John Sather and Janeen Trevillyan, President of the Sedona Historical Society (SHS), outlined several Sedona historic themes.  Janeen wrote the text and found the historic photos from the SHS archives that illustrated the stories.  An Arizona-based vendor produced the approximately 2’x 2’ plaques.  The production process and final product are multi-tiered.  (See attached sample drawing).  The signs are painted metal with a combination of cut-out and silk-screened text.  The photos are a ‘photo metal’ image mounted in a slightly raised position to the main sign, which adds a 3-dimensional element for interest.

 

Sedona’s rich and unique history is not always one of the first things that visitors and even residents think of when thinking of the “Sedona experience” or shopping the “Sedona experience”.  These plaques are an attraction, and educational to both the local and visiting audiences.  They have stimulated interest in Sedona’s history.  This project led to an on-going relationship between SHS and Hyatt Piñon Pointe.

 

The Hyatt Piñon Pointe spent approximately $20,000 on design and production of these high-quality copper plaques. 

 

On average, several hundred people pass by these history story plaques every day as they wander through this retail open plaza and shop or visit the three eateries.  Both phases of the project are only just completed.  Hyatt Piñon Pointe and SHS held a formal celebration of this special project to honor local history and to recognize their new found partnership.