Student Government Association President Hugo Dante campaigned to partner with city officials and “paint the Shoals purple.” He saw his latest project unveiled to the public Oct.4.

The city revealed new university themed street signs at the intersection of Lion Drive and Pine Street. The City of Florence, UNA SGA and various university officials worked together to make this idea a reality.

The city replaced 20 traditional green street signs with purple and white signs featuring the UNA logo on all streets adjacent to the main campus. This will spread from Tuscaloosa Street to Tennessee Street, Dante said.

Dante said the idea for the street signs began in August 2016 during his time as chairman of Legislative Affairs for SGA.

“We started it as a project of Legislative Affairs toward a greater effort to make SGA more involved in the community,” Dante said, “It simply began as a conversation.”

Dante said SGA convinced Florence city officials the partnership was a good idea by drafting resolutions, gathering the names of streets signs and sending images of street signs in other college towns.

Dante and his committee first presented this project to city officials at a luncheon Nov. 29. He said Florence Mayor Steve Holt and Alumni Association President Michelle Eubanks worked with SGA to make the idea a reality.

“They have been very supportive of the students at UNA,” Dante said.

Eubanks said the signs indicate a partnership between the city and the university.

“I am delighted to see the town-grown philosophy thriving,” Eubanks said.

Senior Rebecca Hushka said the signs will bring the community together.

“Giving the street signs a UNA theme will bring the sense that the community is supportive of UNA, which is what we need as we’re transitioning to DI,” Hushka said.

Holt said he is excited to see the city implement the street signs.

“UNA is one of the top economic engines for Florence,” Holt said. “I have long been a proponent of purple street signs around the university, and we are excited to move forward on this project with UNA.”

UNA President Kenneth Kitts said he is proud to see the city partnering with the university to complete this project.

“This is a wonderful indicator of our community’s support for UNA,” Kitts said. “The new purple street signs will serve as a constant reminder that this is ‘Lion Country,’ and they will be a source of pride for our students and alumni for years to come.”

He said the streets signs will aid prospective students as they consider attending UNA through “little touches” around the UNA community.

Sophomore Caroline Crow said the signs will add to the college feel.

“It’s a unique way of showing school spirit in the city of Florence,” Crow said.

Dante said he hopes this will be the first step in expanding the purple street signs to other areas of the city.

There are currently no plans to add purple street signs around other UNA owned property, such as the Mane Room or East Campus.