Notice is hereby given that the Helena TBID/Helena Area Chamber of Commerce (CVB) (here in after referred to as Visit Helena) is seeking proposals from qualified firms specializing in wayfinding and signage systems to enhance navigational experiences, reinforce community identity and brand, and support local businesses. This community project aims to design and implement a comprehensive wayfinding system that is both intuitive and technologically advanced, reflecting our community’s unique character and modern needs.

Respondents must offer a proposal that will meet the scope of services, requests and general description of work activities identified in this Request for Proposal (“RFP”), while adding what the Respondent would have to offer.

Downtown Helena is strategically located to capitalize on tourism and local business activities, enriched by its proximity to natural attractions, including parks, and recreational areas. The implementation of a comprehensive wayfinding system is poised to transform how visitors and residents interact with the Helena attractions and businesses, significantly enhancing navigability and accessibility.

The primary objective of the new wayfinding system is to simplify the navigation process throughout Helena, particularly in the Downtown District and to the Montana Heritage Center-Montana’s Museum. By integrating clear and consistent highway, local street, pedestrian, and kiosk signage, the initiative aims to make local businesses, attractions, and amenities more visible and accessible.

The Wayfinding Plan’s goals include:

1. Improve overall connectivity.
2. Enhance the overall image of Helena as a destination with a consistent and attractive design standard for tourism wayfinding signage.
3. Increase and encourage visitor and resident discovery and exploration of Downtown Helena as well as the surrounding area to boost the local economy through increased spending.
4. Allow easy deciphering of directions to increase a person’s ability to traverse to and from Helena’s primary attraction, The Montana Heritage Center-Montana’s Museum, and Downtown utilizing Exhibit A & B.
5. Incorporate inclusive and universal design into the entire wayfinding program and system so that wayfinding can be used by a wide range of diverse users including children, non-English speakers, and persons with disabilities, including those with (but not limited to) vision, hearing, and/or cognitive impairment.
6. Welcome and guide the traveling public from gateways into Downtown as well as to and from key destinations and points of interest such as the Montana Heritage Center/Montana’s Museum, entertainment amenities, colleges, and parks.
7. Develop design standards for wayfinding that are reflective of Helena’s identity while using the City of Helena Guidelines & referencing Lewis & Clark County’s Active Living Wayfinding Plan should be used as basis for the wayfinding design and signage to ensure compatibility with the recommended streetscape elements.
8. Anticipate future development in each area, changes in traffic patterns, new attractions, and increased pedestrian, bicycle, and micro mobility vehicle traffic.
9. To the extent that makes sense, all wayfinding installations should be able to be easily updated. The project scope should include recommendations that clarify roles and responsibilities for managing wayfinding signage content and information.
10. Condense sign clutter to contribute to beautifying Downtown Streetscapes and limit sidewalk obstructions.