Toronto

'The 6,' 'T Dot' could be new 3D signs to pop up in Toronto

The 3D Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square has created countless selfie opportunities for Torontonians, and a proposal by Coun. Norm Kelly could give residents more opportunities to up their selfie game by adding more 3D signs around the city.

Council's economic development committee agreed Tuesday to explore proposal

Toronto's economic development committee is considering a proposal by city councillor Norm Kelly to create and install three new Toronto branded 3D signs in the city. (Rebecca Blackwell/The Associated Press)

The 3D Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square has created countless selfie opportunities for Torontonians, and a proposal by Coun. Norm Kelly could give residents more chances to up their selfie game by adding 3D signs around the city.

Kelly has proposed three more 3D signs that would read: "The 6", "T.O." and "T Dot."

"Increasingly, cities are finding their appeal lying in fields like art, culture, music, all these sort of social amenities that people enjoy," Kelly told CBC's Here and Now on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the city's economic development committee approved Kelly's request to explore his proposal. If the committee comes back with a favourable report on the project, the new signs could start popping up around town by spring, Kelly said.

First, however, Kelly and Coun. Justin Di Ciano, who supports the proposal, are intent on finding private sponsors to pay for the signs. The cost of each letter of the Toronto sign was $13,000, Kelly said.  

Kelly said his idea, which was first presented to council in early November, was inspired by the success of the Toronto sign, which first went up during the Pan Am Games and will remain outside city hall due to its enduring popularity.

"It became so popular, if I may use the word famous, as well, in that location, ​we decided to keep it there," Kelly said. "That got me thinking about how other variations of that sign in younger language -- 'The 6,' 'T Dot' and 'T.O.' -- might be able to find a similar audience and reception."

Kelly envisions "The 6" going up at Yonge-Dundas Square, the "T.O." sign in the entertainment district, and a "T Dot" sign on the waterfront.

Kelly and Di Ciano believe more signs will expand the city's branding opportunities, and reinforce the modern, "cool" Toronto brand.