The city encouraged neighborhood groups to stay active by periodically offering new improvement incentives based on community proposals, following the same model that helped with the formation of the new neighborhood associations.

Some of the improvements have developed maintenance problems. Openings in the Highland Oaks markers are treated as trash receptacles, for example. Lettering has peeled from the tall metal signs in Fruitland Heights to the point of illegibility. In some cases the signs appear completely blank.

Still, community leaders are pleased with the overall results of markers. They help create an identity and "assist us with basically building sustainable communities, where young folk and others can thrive."