Phoenix leaders will consider adding interactive digital kiosks on city sidewalks and public spaces.
The request for kiosks comes from Downtown Phoenix, Inc., the nonprofit the city hires to provide enhanced services like landscaping and maintenance. The group wants to install 8 to 10 interactive kiosks with information about downtown businesses, events, public transit and more.
When kiosks aren’t being used, advertisements appear — and that would violate current city code, which generally restricts advertising on public sidewalks and streets. Installation of kiosks would require a change to city code.
Earlier this year, a divided City Council in Houston approved 8-foot-tall kiosks, guaranteeing the city at least a million dollars a year from the vendor. Critics call them unattractive clutter.
On Wednesday, Phoenix’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee will discuss the issue. Members could direct city staff to issue a request for information to potential vendors, followed by a request for proposals, which would be used to select a vendor.
