Bristol’s Birthplace sign now something to brag about

BRISTOL, Tenn. – After two tries and an additional $2,000, Bristol can finally brag that it has a sign properly touting the city’s role as country music’s birthplace.

Responding to complaints that a massive brick, metal and granite sign on State Street and Volunteer Parkway – bearing the words “Bristol” and “The Birthplace of Country Music”–  had writing that could barely be seen, Bristol has re-done the structure with lettering that is harder to miss.

“It looks much more prominent and much easier to see from anywhere on the street,” Bristol Deputy City Manager Mike Sparks said of the improved sign, which now sports a darker middle section.

“We’ve already gotten some calls from people complimenting the new look,” he said.

Shari Brown, the city’s community development director, said: “I think it looks great. It’s certainly a lot more visible.”

During the summer, Bristol unveiled the sign, behind Regions bank parking lot, at a cost of $67,000. The sign was built and installed by Inland Construction Co. of Abingdon, Va., which worked off a design created by Michael Versen, a Maryville, Tenn., architect.

But it wasn’t long before residents and city officials were grumbling that the lettering was too sparse and could barely be seen.

“You just can’t see it from a car,” Councilman David Shumaker complained during a September meeting.

His concern was echoed by Mayor Fred Testa, who said the poor lettering defeated the very purpose of having the sign: pumping up Bristol’s reputation as country music’s birthplace.

“That was the whole idea,” Testa said.

Sparks said the city asked Inland to replace the original centerpiece panel with dark granite and revise all of the lettering in brighter hues.

Bristol was responsible for paying the $2,000 tab, Sparks said, because Inland did nothing wrong during the sign’s original work.

“It’s about what we thought it would be,” Sparks said of the cost.

| (276) 645-2512