Florence council approves two electronic message board sites: Fire Station 2 and Main Street/79
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Summary
After a months‑long review of potential locations, the council approved two town-owned locations for new electronic message boards — Fire Station 2 on Hunt Highway and the Main Street/79 entry — to promote town events and information; estimated costs vary by site and power availability.
The Florence Town Council on Oct. 21 approved two locations for new electronic message centers: the town‑owned site at Fire Station No. 2 (Hunt Highway) and a location near the Main Street/Highway 79 entry point. The action authorizes staff to proceed with final design and procurement work for the two LED message boards.
Administrative project manager Jared Tilly described a multi‑month site analysis that examined town ownership, visibility, traffic volumes, permitting, utility costs and maintenance. Tilly and vendors conducted on‑site demonstrations with sample panels to test pixel density and visibility at typical vehicle approach distances. Staff recommended locations on town property to avoid long-term easement and lease complications.
Council discussed several factors before approving the two sites: visibility to inbound visitors, traffic speed and lane counts, cost to bring electric service to each site (APS estimates varied widely by location), and long-term control of the signs. Councilors raised tourism and downtown awareness as priorities, urged a coordinated town branding strategy and asked staff to return with a marketing plan for message priorities and content rules.
Estimated all‑in costs shared with council included sign hardware, foundations, permits and electrical service. Tilly said vendor prices were likely to rise after November and that the two chosen sites fit within the capital improvement budget approved for the year. One councilor noted higher utility costs for larger panels at some highway locations and advised caution for signs in ADOT right‑of‑way because ADOT restricts commercial messaging.
Councilors approved placing one sign at the Fire Station 2 location (a larger panel option will be used there) and a second sign near the Main Street/79 entry point. Council asked staff to pursue final design and cost‑reduction options, to coordinate branding and messaging with the town’s communication plan and to return with final procurement documents and a content/advertising policy for council review.
