It will be a banner year for New Berlin

New Berlin - Come spring, a drive down Moorland Road and National Avenue will include new brightly colored banners, proudly proclaiming that this is New Berlin, as they ripple in the breeze from lampposts lining the streets.

The banners are part of the city's branding effort, said City Clerk Kari Morgan, who heads the community relations team of staff members asked to carry out that mission.

Welcome banners

The road banners will add color and vibrancy to the busy road corridors, Morgan said. More than that, the whole effect is intended to make New Berlin seem more like a welcoming place to live, work and visit, she added.

This spring, city crews will put up the 150 banners along Moorland and National and in the New Berlin City Center. The New Berlin Library is having 50 more banners made for around its location at 15105 Library Lane to double up on the branding.

"It makes sense to do this, as many light poles have positions for two banners," said Dennis Sampson, library director.

With two banners blowing in the breeze, "it will brighten up the streetscape," Sampson added.

The city banners will showcase New Berlin's new logo. Like the previous one, the new logo keeps the city's motto, "City Living with a Touch of Country."

On the right side is a green-clad hill topped by a tree sheltering a family beneath. Then the green grassy hillside "flows" down to the left where a community of colorful homes, a church and a school are nestled.

Public participation

Donations have been coming in from local businesses to cover the $7,500 cost. Mayor Jack Chiovatero takes that as evidence that the businesses and people care about the community and want to help it.

"I'm very excited our businesses are participating in this branding effort," Chiovatero said.

Residents also have donated toward the banner project.

"I think people have a sense of pride and want to show it," Morgan said.

All donors will will be recognized on a plaque maintained at the City Hall. But the city also recently paid tribute to those who have contributed toward the branding effort so far.

Donors recognized were All About Floors, Anderson Seal; Burton & Elizabeth Stokely; CGS Premier; Diameters; Dr. Charles Strehlow; Educator's Credit Union; General Beverage Sales; Heritage Funeral Homes; Hippenmeyer, Reilly, Moodie & Blum SC; Honeyager's Mudjack Service; Jim's Mobil Service; Kat's Café; Kwik Trip; Landmark Credit Union; Metro Sound; Milwaukee Valve; New Berlin Animal Hospital; Process Retail Group; Rocky Rococo; S-F Analytical Laboratories; Shady Acres Perennial Nursery; Stonefire Pizza; Style Salon; Toolrite Mfg. Co.; Trailside Cycle; Wenthe-Davidson, Wisconsin Vision; and Wolter Bros Builders.