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Council leans toward white‑background gateway signs with palm motif; LED advertising draws caution
Summary
Public Works presented six gateway locations and multiple sign designs and costs. Council favored white backgrounds and a palm motif but expressed legal, maintenance and distracted‑driving concerns about LED message boards and asked staff to refine samples and locations.
Pete Beeneck, the city’s director of public works, presented design options for six gateway signs proposed at major approaches into Fort Myers and reviewed cost estimates and regulatory limits, including Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration constraints. He said a double‑sided monument could cost about $56,004.60 to build and a monument with an integrated LED sign board could be near $98,009.76; fully installing each location would require separate electrical and installation work and additional negotiation.
Councilors discussed readability, driver distraction and revenue potential from advertising. IT and public‑safety staff asked for locked, secure content controls and cautioned against motion video or distracting patterns. Multiple members favored a white background with a royal palm motif as the city’s brand; others warned that LED boards should be used sparingly or not at all in locations where driver distraction or sight‑distance is a concern. Staff was directed to prepare refined samples (white background, palm options) and location‑specific pricing for the council to consider.
