File photo. Construction in preparation for the downtown streetcar route.
No digital signs are allowed in much of the city, but they will be for the new downtown streetcar system, and criticism is expected.
The city council Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee advanced an ordinance Wednesday for digital streetcar signs.
The 2-mile downtown streetcar system is expected to start operation by early in 2016.
The ordinance would not dictate streetcar signs now but specifies that the streetcar authority could enter into an agreement later for the digital signage.
Committee Chair Ed Ford said that some people will criticize the city getting digital signs but it is hard to imagine streetcars without them.
Councilman John Sharp noted that the signs will not be allowed to flash or scroll.
City staff reports that the signs will be used for public information, commercial sponsorship and may consist of panel and video monitors within station or shelter walls, kiosks or upon buildings.
They could also include touchscreen or interactive screens and user generated content, staff reports.
The signs may be appropriate downtown but not for lines extending into residential areas, staff reports.
No immediate problem there, since voters turned down an extension of the streetcar line.
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