EVERETT — Snohomish County’s urban center might be a little easier to navigate now.

Last week, eight new signs for pedestrians were installed in downtown Everett. Each is 10 feet tall and holds an area map and arrows pointing the way to common destinations.

Examples include the Imagine Children’s Museum, the Schack Art Center and the Wetmore Theatre Plaza, as well as civic buildings.

“This is all about finding attractions downtown,” said Dana Oliver, director of the Downtown Everett Association.

The signs came from a partnership between the association and the city’s economic development office. The association provided the funding and is seeking related lodging tax grants. The association works closely with downtown businesses and property owners.

“We took on the project to make the environment downtown more attractive to visitors and to bolster tourism,” Oliver said.

A streetscape of visual interest adds to the visiting or shopping experience, which often is based on a destination or event, she said. People identify positives, and are drawn back as a result.

The signs share themes with the Metro Everett plan, which seeks to overhaul zoning and developer rules as the city grows. The plan focuses largely on the area bordered by Broadway, and Grand, Everett and Pacific avenues. It could be adopted by the City Council in the coming months.

Everett is expected to see a population boom. Tens of thousands of newcomers will need somewhere to live, but also places they can walk to downtown.

For eating, drinking and shopping, “it feels like there are more options being added every day,” city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said.

“We look forward to seeing our visitors using the signs to explore this summer,” she said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.