Saint Paul Municipal Grain Terminal Interpretive Signage

Interpretive panels at the Saint Paul Municipal Grain Terminal headhouse and sackhouse now used as a trailhead

Client: City of Saint Paul and Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation

Role: Project coordinator and graphic designer as an employee of the 106 Group

Primary goal: Design and coordinate fabrication of interpretive signage showcasing the wealth of history at the Saint Paul Municipal Grain Terminal

Description

A series of four panels explaining how the building operated and moved grain between water barges, trains, and nearby grain facilities

The Saint Paul Municipal Grain Terminal, after years of nearly being torn down, was finally saved and turned into a trailhead facility by the City of Saint Paul.  As part of the building renovation, the city wanted interpretive signs on-site showcasing the history of the building; importance of local grain commerce to the local, national, and international communities; the farmer’s cooperative who built the headhouse and sackhouse; and how the building functioned moving grain to and from river barges, trains, and nearby grain facilities.

As part of an exhibit team at the 106 Group, I designed twelve interpretive signs and coordinated their fabrication and installation.  Additionally, since the trailhead facility could be accessed day and night in the un-staffed building, the signs needed to be rugged and graffiti resistant. By using phenolic resin panels, we accomplished both design constraints.

The riverside walk before and after renovation