Earlier this year, the Downtown Development Authority authorized $30,000 for the consultant's work. The result: signage with burgundy backgrounds, rust-colored accents and white lettering that vary in size and message from welcome signs, public parking signs, pedestrian maps and directional signs for motorists. The cost to create about 60 signs is estimated at $80,000, with the signs to be erected next summer, city officials say.

Howell's DDA is determining locations for the signs, which will direct people to the St. Joseph Mercy Livingston hospital, the Howell Carnegie District Library, the school complex, the judicial center, the industrial park and Tanger Outlet Center in Howell Township.

Amy Connolly, who manages the development authority, says placing some of the signs outside the city could be a big benefit to Howell, as they will be positioned to direct traffic to Downtown. About four years ago, the Downtown Development Authority purchased three new signs for the city. Those signs, large welcome signs installed at the city's entrances, cost about $5,285 each.