FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—The city of Fayetteville wants to erect signs to direct visitors to local attractions, and organizers want the effort to link with a similar plan for the University of Arkansas campus.

The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission is prepared to shoulder part of the cost.

“I like the idea. Because for so many visitors, we get them here and they have no way to get around,” Advertising and Promotion board member Tim Freeman said.

Freeman and other commissioners said improved signs around Fayetteville can go a long way toward improving the experience of visitors.

The commission and the city are to each pay half of a sign study and design project, about $80,000 total.

The University of Arkansas is already working on the final draft of construction documents for a substantial display overhaul to replace signs on major roadways, including Interstate 540. The signs would show visitors the way to the UA campus and guide them to parking areas. The effort would include kiosks and other devices to point visitors to buildings, athletic venues and other attractions, said Mike Johnson, the director of the university’s physical plant.

The university wants to work with the city to have campus and city signs working in tandem.

“Once we get them (visitors) to the city limits, then it just makes sense that we move them to areas around town,” Johnson said at an A&P commission meeting last week.

“I think this is a good move, and I’m glad the university is taking a lead on this,” Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody said. The mayor serves on the commission and put forth the shared-cost proposal.

The university’s sign display plan will cost $600,000 to $800,000 and will be completed over a period of about five years, Johnson said.

“We have one sign of every type known to man on campus,” Johnson said, joking to make a point. “So we want to clean it up and get a little more modern.”