Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Digital Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charlotte approves 30‑kiosk pilot with private vendor to add wayfinding, safety messaging and advertising
Summary
Council approved a no‑cost pilot for up to 30 interactive digital kiosks operated by Ike Smart City, set for public‑right‑of‑way installation in corridors of opportunity and municipal service districts. The contract includes 12.5% city/community content time and a revenue-sharing arrangement; council sought assurances on small‑business access and public‑safety integration.
The Charlotte City Council voted Oct. 27 to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Ike Smart City for up to 30 interactive digital kiosks, a pilot the city described as revenue‑neutral to taxpayers and intended to provide wayfinding, Wi‑Fi, public‑safety messaging and advertising opportunities for small businesses.
Michael Smith, speaking for the South End community, told council the kiosks would provide wayfinding, transit schedules and real‑time messaging to visitors and residents. Randall Sustrunk of Ike Smart City said the company would reserve 12.5% of kiosk time for city and community content and pursue outreach to help small and minority businesses access reduced‑cost or free ad inventory.
Council members pressed the vendor and transportation staff on where kiosks would be placed (in the public right‑of‑way), how locations will be determined (in partnership with corridors of opportunity, MSDs and council), and safeguards against the proliferation of other digital signage. Brandon Bridal of Charlotte DOT said the ordinance language specifically defines the interactive informational wayfinding kiosk to avoid creating a broad exception for other decorative digital signs.
The contract model is vendor funded through advertising; council members noted the city would receive 30% of advertising profits and the pilot would be no net cost to taxpayers. Several members asked about public safety features (optional 911 button, security cameras) and touch‑screen accessibility; the vendor confirmed touch screens at kiosk bases and may integrate emergency call functionality at the city's direction.
Council approved the ordinance language and the pilot rollout after committee review and public testimony. Council members said they expect ongoing monitoring of equity of access for local businesses, community content allocation, and public‑safety integration as the pilot proceeds.
"We're excited that we will have 30 of them," said Councilmember James Mitchell, who led the effort and who described the pilot as a way to support small businesses and corridor connectivity. The contract terms and pilot locations will be finalized through the manager's negotiation and subsequent coordination with council and district stakeholders.
