The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 board voted on Jan. 13 to accept a proposed sectional reroute by AEP (American Electric Power) intended to energize new lines near the Convent and Zaragoza intersection.

Staff told the board that AEP’s field review found an existing private sign post very close to the utility clearance zone. AEP informed staff it does not own the private sign post and therefore lacks authority to remove it; the property owner would need to agree to any sign removal or modification. Staff and consultants discussed options including moving or adding poles and leaving infrastructure in place so future aesthetic or straight-line consolidations could be completed later.

The board’s motion accepted the reroute as necessary to energize the new lines, recognizing AEP’s constraints and the potential need for an additional pole in front of the private sign. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The reroute allows the utility to energize infrastructure needed for downtown improvements, but it also means a private sign and additional pole(s) may remain in place, affecting the planned downtown consolidation of overhead lines and visual alignment.

Next steps: Staff will continue coordinating with AEP designers and field representatives to refine the plan and pursue pragmatic field solutions while ensuring the infrastructure needed to energize the area is completed promptly.