Blog
How to Choose Outdoor Lighting for Your Community or Commercial Property
Friday March 08, 2019
Outdoor lighting is used to illuminate and enhance the aesthetics of residential communities as well as commercial properties. Typically consisting of a weather-resistant pole affixed with one or more light fixtures, outdoor lighting illuminates the surrounding space when the sun goes down. Not only does this help people see when traveling through the area; it also creates a safer environment by deterring criminal activity. With so many types of outdoor lighting, however, how do you know which one is right for your community or commercial property?
5 Tips on Cleaning and Maintaining Cluster Mailbox Units
Saturday March 02, 2019
As the United States Postal Service (USPS) continues to encourage the use of cluster mailbox units (CBUs), you can expect to see more of these centralized mail delivery systems in apartments, neighborhoods and other residential communities. CBUs streamline mail pickup and delivery by couriers by allowing them to collect and drop off mail for many residents at a single location. Rather than visiting each resident's unit to drop off mail, for example, a courier can visit the community's CBU, which contains a secure mailbox for each resident.
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Curbside Mailboxes in Your Residential Community
Friday February 22, 2019
After purchasing curbside mailboxes for your residential community, you'll need to install them. While this sounds easy enough, though, there are certain steps you must take to ensure the mailboxes are safely and securely installed. Unfortunately, some developers and property managers are guilty of making one or more of the following mistakes when installing their curbside mailboxes.
What Is Retroreflectivity in Traffic and Street Signs?
Tuesday February 12, 2019
Nighttime driving carries a higher risk of collision than daytime driving due to lack of sunlight. While most highways and roads are illuminated with street lamps, they don't provide the same level of lighting as the sun. Because of this, roughly half of all collisions occur at night, even though only 75% of travel happens during the day. To help reduce the risk of nighttime collisions, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires developers and contractors to use traffic and street signs with a minimum amount of retroreflectivity.
The Beginner's Guide to Choosing Wayfinding Signs
Friday February 08, 2019
From residential communities and historic city districts to commercial shopping centers, parks, hospital, schools and more, wayfinding signs are used in a variety of areas. The primary purpose of wayfinding signs is to assist visitors in navigating the area where they are used. A local park, for example, may feature wayfinding signs directing visitors to the picnic tables, restrooms and walking trials, while a commercial shopping center may feature wayfinding signs for the various businesses and their respective address number. But if you're planning to buy wayfinding signs for your development project, you'll need to choose the right ones to ensure that visitors can easily navigate it.
Are Your Steet Name Signs MUTCD Compliant? Here's What You Should Know
Friday February 01, 2019
There are more than 4 million miles of road in the United States, according to data published by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). To help drivers navigate these roads, community developers use signs displaying the respective street's name. While all street name signs feature the name of the street, though, developers must use signs that comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Otherwise, the local municipality may force the developer to take them down. So, how do you know if your street name signs are MUTCD compliant?
Cohesion: The Secret to Designing an Attractive Neighborhood or Community
Friday January 25, 2019
As the country's real estate market continues to rebound from the 2008 bubble, more neighborhoods and residential communities are popping up. From the East Coast to the West, the number of newly constructed homes is steadily increasing -- and this trend isn't expected to change anytime soon. If you've been given the task of developing a new neighborhood or community, though, you should strive for a cohesive design.
The Rise of Cluster Mailbox Units in US Neighborhoods
Thursday January 17, 2019
Cluster mailbox units (CBUs) have been around for more than half-century, with the United States Postal Service (USPS) releasing the first official curbside CBU in 1967. Since then, they've become the preferred mail delivery system for apartments. A typical apartment complex has about 100 to 300 units. Rather than designating a curbside mailbox for each of these units -- or requiring couriers to hand-deliver each tenant's mail to his or her apartment -- just a few CBUs can be used. While CBUs will likely remain the leading mail delivery system for apartments, they are also becoming more popular in neighborhoods.
The History of Street Signs And How They Improve Our Nation's Transportation Infrastructure
Friday January 11, 2019
Regardless of where you live in the United States, there are probably road signs present. Whether it's a major Interstate Highway or a small street running through a residential community, all roads have signs to safely dictate the flow of traffic. They've been around for centuries, and while the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has enacted new regulations regarding their use and design, the basic purpose of road signs remains the same.
How to Choose the Right Street Signs for Your Community
Friday January 04, 2019
Street signs play an important role in the function and aesthetics of a residential community. They help to reinforce the community's brand, reduce traffic accidents, guide motorists to their intended destination and even increase property values. Whether you're a property manager, developer or member of a homeowners association, though, you'll need to choose the right street signs for your community.