BY BECKY KISER
Hays Post
There are a lot of different logos used by the city of Hays – at least 20 – in all type of media, signage, letterhead and even employee clothing.
City staff believes it’s time to update to a single organizational logo, standardizing the various logos being used by all departments.
The “3 Amigos” logo has been used for many years, depicting the Old West history of Hays and its connection to General George A. Custer, James B. “Wild Bill” Hickok and William “Buffalo Bill” Cody at historic Fort Hays.
POLL: What do you think of the proposed logo?
“It’s been on letterhead, city vehicles, city pins. That logo is fine but it doesn’t transcend well to a shirt logo, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, or the water tower,” says Toby Dougherty, city manager.
“Over the years we’ve developed one-off logos. These have all been organic, rather than a concerted effort,” he explained.
Dougherty pointed to many other city entities, each with its own logo, including the Hays Aquatic Park, Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex and wayfinding signage. “The Parks Department has a different letterhead that involves bison.”
City staff began talking about the need for a singular logo early this year and contracted with local artist Scott Gross to come up with some design concepts.
Several designs were reviewed by Dougherty, Melissa Dixon, CVB executive director and staff members.
They settled on one simple design with three variations. Those will be presented to the Hays city commission during their work session tonight.
“The goal is to create an organizational logo – the city of Hays logo. It’s not meant to represent Hays as a city; it’s the city of Hays as an organization,” Dougherty emphasized.
“Therefore we tried to keep it as neutral and sterile as possible. No history, no wheat, no oil, no Volga-German. It’s not mean to represent anything except the city of Hays as an organization.”
If city commissioners reject the proposed logo change, Dougherty said the city would likely continue as is using the existing multiple logos.
Other Sept. 19 agenda items for discussion include:
- Annexation of property located at 4890 and 4940 General Hays Road
- Vehicle abatement at 520 West 17th Street
- Sanitary sewer lining project bid award
- 27th Street reconstruction between Hall and Fort design contract
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.