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Bismarck preservation commission reviews downtown LED streetlight options, favors moving away from globe fixtures
Summary
City engineers presented five replacement samples and recommended modern LED fixtures to replace fragile globe-style pedestrian lights; commissioners emphasized frosted glass or downward-focused designs to limit glare and said poles would be reused and costs are in the 2026 CIP.
BISMARCK, N.D. — City engineering staff presented options to the Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 19 for replacing downtown pedestrian streetlights, recommending modern LED fixtures that staff and Downtown Design Review say will be easier to maintain than the existing globe-style fixtures.
At the meeting, Linda Oster of the engineering department told commissioners the city is phasing out high‑pressure sodium and metal‑halide fixtures in favor of LEDs. She said downtown includes more than 200 pedestrian fixtures, with roughly 30 new fixtures scheduled as part of an upcoming project, and reported repeated globe breakage and difficult repairs as a key driver to seek different designs. "We really do want to move away from this fixture," Oster said, adding that public works and Downtown Design Review favor two of five samples evaluated.
The engineering presentation said the city would reuse the existing poles and replace only the fixture heads. Oster said the preferred fixtures provide tool‑less entry for maintenance, should last many years and are compatible with the street poles once trim color is matched; staff indicated the project has many costs already included in the city's 2026 capital improvement program.
Commissioners focused questions on enclosure material (clear glass, frosted glass or polycarbonate), light distribution and color temperature. Oster said both frosted and clear glass are available and that the city typically specifies a 4,000 Kelvin LED; if a frosted enclosure reduced light distribution, staff would increase wattage to achieve the target illumination. She also said enclosures can be glass to discourage perching birds and the associated mess.
Several commissioners raised concerns about brightness in nearby residential areas after prior LED conversions. Commissioner Engle said residents remained unhappy with perceived excessive brightness in a residential district where fixtures had been replaced, and urged consideration of frosted glass or downward‑focused fixtures to reduce glare. Commissioners also debated decorative style, with some preferring a simpler "pith element" option over Art Deco or Art Nouveau looks to better fit Bismarck's downtown character.
No formal motion was made on a final fixture selection at the Nov. 19 meeting; staff said they will compile cost estimates and a project package and return to the commission for approval when the project is ready.
Next steps include preparing a project plan and cost estimate, confirming any necessary revisions to downtown streetscape standards, and presenting a formal approval item to the commission when funding and specifications are finalized.
