What's happening
Austin is planning to install 50 digital kiosks in busy areas around downtown in an effort to promote "local businesses, arts, culture and civic resources," according to Anthony Segura, interim director of the Economic Development Department. Placing the kiosks downtown would carry no startup cost under a revenue-sharing model between Austin and vendor IKE Smart City that would pay for the process through advertising.
The IKE kiosks would resemble digital stands that are already in place at The Domain in North Austin, Segura said, and around cities like Houston, San Antonio and Arlington. They'd stand about 8 feet tall and be fully installed within public right of ways to connect to city infrastructure.
“It’s not something where an individual could come and just push it over. It is hardwired into the system to ensure it is a safe environment for anybody to use," Segura said during a September briefing to City Council.
Local regulations would prohibit several kinds of advertising on the kiosks, ranging from illegal or violent content to political or religious messaging, and ads could be pulled at the city's request. Segura also said the advertising stands won't be placed within 500 feet of places like schools, libraries, medical facilities, religious institutions, parks and playgrounds.
“We want to ensure that these are going to be utilized for everybody to use but ensure that we have strict guidelines for content regulation," he said.
Adding the kiosks will require adjustments to city code related to off-site advertising, as well as public review. Segura said he plans to meet with council offices about the plan this fall while city commissions consider the changes needed for the program. A public council hearing could take place in November ahead of final kiosk permitting and placement later next year, to be managed by Transportation and Public Works.
Segura said the city has already worked with the Downtown Austin Alliance and local chambers of commerce on the program, and more community feedback will be solicited before kiosks are added.
“This is an extensive process to ensure we get it right the first time," he said.
Segura said he couldn't share exact projections about the program's revenue impact, but that it could total hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In response to a question from council member Mike Siegel, he also said he would report back to council about the kiosks' cameras, including when they'd be recording and where that footage might be accessible.
Zooming in
Late last year, council called for Austin to implement electronic signage and wayfinding features related to transit access and public information. Several city departments then met to roll out an initial signage program plan.
The city issued a public solicitation for kiosks earlier this year, and IKE was selected as the city's partner in June. In response to a public information request, the city said it had no responsive materials showing how IKE was evaluated and chosen through that process.
