By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
The City of Phoenix and Downtown Phoenix Partnership Inc. are looking at bringing new digital kiosks to downtown Phoenix.
DPI and city staff have been discussing installing eight to ten “digital interactive kiosks” in the downtown area.
The high-tech kiosks would provide real-time event and transit and weather information as well as social media interaction, maps and directories for visitors.
There are currently some static directional signs around downtown and the Downtown Phoenix group has ambassadors to help tourists and others.
The Phoenix City Council’s panel on Economic Development and Equity will be briefed on the idea at its Sept. 28 meeting.
City staff looked at other cities that have installed digital kiosks. That includes programs that generate advertising revenue via the high-tech kiosks.
The City of Houston, for example, has 75 kiosks generating as much as $2 million in revenue for the city.
The City of Phoenix, however, would have to change city codes to allow for the digital kiosks if they include advertising. The city code restricts advertising in public right-of-way would have to be changed to allow for the downtown effort.
The new kiosks could be operated by the city, DPI or an outside vendor. They could be installed before Phoenix and Glendale host Super Bowl events in February 2023.
