The kiosks provide free internet access and potentially generate revenue for the city. Some people find it distracting and unnecessary.
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Dallas leaders are considering installing interactive digital kiosks along sidewalks, an initiative that is spreading to cities across the country.
According to a March 26 presentation to the City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the City of Dallas Department of Public Works is working with local communities to share the vision and benefits of a citywide digital kiosk program and obtain feedback from stakeholders. It is said that they have begun efforts to engage in the project.
The city says the kiosks can provide free community Wi-Fi, wayfinding and community branding, security cameras, a 911 panic button, traffic data, advertising and public alerts.
The city has not selected a contractor. But IKE smart city devices made by Ohio-based Orange Barrel Media LLC are also popular in other cities, from Houston and San Antonio to Baltimore, Miami and San Diego.
This isn't an entirely foreign concept to Dallas. In a separate initiative, Smart City Media LLC began installing his 300 digital kiosks at transit stations in 2020, working with Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
Dallas Public Works Director Ali Hatefi said the equipment would generate revenue at no cost to the city, but he did not have exact numbers. Vendor may cover installation and management costs.
In Baltimore, for example, IKE Smart City “gifted” its kiosks to the city in 2019 and paid for the installation and management of the kiosks under a contract with the city in exchange for a portion of advertising revenue.
According to Community Impact, Houston officials estimated in 2022 that the city would receive between $11 million and $50 million in advertising revenue over 12 years from IKE kiosks.
The city tried this last year.
Dallas officials began lobbying last year to attract companies to install such kiosks, but they quickly encountered opposition and were back to square one.
In May 2023, the Department of Public Works briefed the commission on its plans to issue a Request for Proposals for vendors to install, operate, maintain, and share revenue with interactive digital kiosks on public land.
The city submitted an RFP that month after hearing positive feedback, but during the proposal process concerns were raised that public input was not sought before the request was issued, according to a city memo. It was done. City officials decided to ban this solicitation, which was approved by the City Council, to allow that to happen.
Transport and Infrastructure Committee Chair Omar Narváez said: “I've heard complaints within the council about a lack of information, a lack of community engagement, and that's what I'm asking of my staff. agree with that,” it said in a March 26 document. meeting. “after that [District 14 Council Member] Ridley came to me and asked for something similar. ”
Narvaez said it's unfair that there is no central business district representation on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which includes city centers, public improvement districts, the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Dallas, commercial property managers, vendors and businesses. He said involvement would be necessary. Once the discussion begins, technical experts gather. He also said the final contract must be completed before the City Council adjourns in July.
“We also hope that the engagement period will happen within the next 60 days because so much is already being done by staff, but we need to make it stronger and we need to get it right. Yes,” Narváez said. “And we want to put something out there that makes our stakeholders, our residents, and the people of this city at large feel like we're shoving something down their throats without listening to them.” there is no.”
It is not yet clear where in the city the kiosks will be installed. Hatefi said once a contract is signed with a vendor, the city will need to finalize the vendor to ensure it does not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Hatefi said the city could complete community participation by the end of April, resume recruitment in May, and be ready for City Council consideration by June.
Placement and privacy concerns
Smartboards often receive criticism as they go through the city process, primarily regarding their location.
In Detroit, there were also concerns about the use of high-definition cameras that could be installed in IKE kiosks, but the city introduced the kiosks without cameras, the Detroit News reported.
In Houston, residents were concerned that the machines would distract drivers and bikers and detract from scenic areas and parks, Community Impact reported. According to the newspaper, IKE officials at the time said the kiosks were installed in areas with reduced speeds, especially near traffic lights.
At the committee meeting, Ridley, who represents parts of downtown Dallas, said he had received at least six letters from key stakeholder organizations opposing the kiosk idea.
“There's a lot of concern, especially in my district, and I know these kiosks will be targeted,” Ridley said. “This is an important issue in the community and must be fully discussed and scrutinized before moving forward.”
It was unclear at the meeting what specific concerns Ridley was addressing, but other council members shared some points.
Carla Mendelsohn, who represents Far North Dallas District 12, expressed frustration with the existing circular, non-digital advertising displays already seen along Dallas streets.
“What are they doing? [are] Most people dislike them because they are an obstruction for pedestrians and a visual obstruction for vehicles and car drivers,” Mendelsohn said.
Mendelsohn said he doesn't understand why officials would pursue digital kiosks when so many people in Dallas have smartphones with access to the same information.
“Everyone carries at least one cell phone, and kiosks literally look like big phones,” she said.
10th District Councilwoman Kathy Stewart said the conversation reminded her of discussions about electric scooters over the past few years, when scooter companies wanted electric scooters in areas where it didn't make sense. She said the site selection process should consider property owners, other stakeholders, sidewalk width and the historic nature of the area.
“There will be neighborhoods and areas in our city that will embrace them, and that's perfect and good. We should do that because that's what we need,” Stewart said. “But there will be places and neighborhoods that say this is not appropriate.”
Fostering more engagement
7th District Councilman Adam Bazaldua, who represents parts of south and east Dallas, said the kiosks can provide free internet access to people without cell phone service and facilitate small business and public service announcements. I admired it.
“Providing free Wi-Fi throughout Fair Park and having interactive kiosks to highlight what the city of Dallas wants to emphasize to the 5 million visitors at the State Fair of Texas is just that for me. It's something we have to fight for,''' Bazaldua said. “This is something I wholeheartedly support.”
9th District Councilwoman Paula Blackmon said the need for such a kiosk comes as more tourists will be coming to Arlington as the 2026 FIFA World Cup games will be held in Arlington. , said it could direct tourists to local restaurants and tourist attractions. Bazaldua also cited World Cup preparations as a reason for acting quickly.
Blackmon also said the city should use this as a way to monetize assets and bring the community together.
“I don't see why we can't enjoy this as a modern city,” Blackmon said. “This is to promote Dallas and we're on stage right now, but wait until FIFA comes and expands it further. It's an international thing, so we're prepared. I would like to do that.”
