WONDERLAND

C.1.4 “Welcome To” McDowell County

The boundaries of McDowell County on Interstate 40, which had an average annual daily traffic count of 38,000 vehicles in 2019, are currently delineated by a standard NCDOT sign that states, “McDowell County”. Upon request, NCDOT will allow local governments to have larger “optional” welcome signs at their boundaries that include specific content and more details. The awareness component for McDowell County could be improved greatly by including the “Blue Ridge Mountain Wonderland” brand on NCDOT welcome signs throughout the County.

ACTION ITEMS: • Request NCDOT install optional welcome signs at the County boundaries that feature the new Blue

Ridge Mountain Wonderland brand. • Work with partners to establish a “Welcome To

McDowell County” monument sign designed with a mountain vernacular that includes the Blue

Ridge Mountain Wonderland brand and aesthetic at the intersection of US 221 north and NC 183 in the Linville Falls community.

A separate branding and marketing effort was conducted with the McDowell County TDA while the Destination McDowell planning process was underway. The new brand will be incorporated into future gateway signage.

With two dozen entry points, McDowell County is easily accessible from several major highways (Interstate 40, US Highways 221, 70, 64, NC Highways 226, 183, 126, 80) and from various smaller secondary roads including Old Fort (SR 1103), Montford Cove (SR1001), Dysartsville (SR1769), Pinnacle Church (SR1763), Lake James (SR1551), Old NC 105 (SR1238), and Altapass (SR1121). There are eight interchanges on I-40, (Exits 72, 73, 75, 81, 83, 85, 86, and 90) as well as a NC rest area located near mile marker 82. The primary entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway within the County include intersections with Buck Creek Road, Curtis Creek Road, and US 221 North near Linville Falls.

The McDowell County TDA has worked closely with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to initiate a county-wide wayfinding system that will help direct travelers to significant cultural, historic, and outdoor assets, as well as other destinations including shopping and business districts (see Appendix E, page 102). A well-implemented county-wide wayfinding system will help create a specific visual identity and sense of place for McDowell County by using a consistent brand.

C.2.1 Implementation

The NCDOT approved wayfinding system includes forty-five individual signs featuring dozens of important destinations. The proposed signs are strategically located along major thoroughfares throughout the County, including: fourteen signs at five separate Interstate 40 exits; nine in the vicinity of Old Fort and Curtis Creek amenities; sixteen signs throughout Marion; and eight wayfinding signs for northern McDowell County and Little Switzerland.

ACTION ITEMS: • Update the existing NCDOT approved wayfinding sign design to utilize the new Blue Ridge

Mountain Wonderland brand. • Seek bids for the production and installation of the county-wide wayfinding sign system. The NCDOT approved wayfinding system includes forty-five individual signs strategically located along major thoroughfares throughout the County. The signs will be updated to reflect the new Mountain Wonderland brand.