TECHNOLOGY
SCENIC VERSUS SMART
Proposed IKE kiosks spark safety, image concerns in theHeights
The three proposed locations being studied for IKE kiosks along Heights Boulevard are concerning to some residents who feel bike and pedestrian safety could be jeopardized.
BY SOFIA GONZALEZ
to do in this city,” Strickland said. “When I saw what the city was doing with the placement of the kiosk, to me, it was another example of where the city is not prioritizing people. It’s focused on cars and advertising.” Central to Strickland’s concerns are three potential locations being stud- ied in the Heights: West 7th Street and Heights Boulevard, West 11th Street and Heights Boulevard, and West 7th Street and Yale Street. The three locations—part of a preliminary determination of where the kiosks could go—are uno cial, and IKE Smart City emphasized it is working with council members, neighborhood groups and property owners as they move forward. Cooke Kelsey is the chair of Scenic Houston’s advocacy committee, a visual environmental preservation group. In a phone interview, he said he thinks it is hypocritical of the city to implement the kiosks while also pushing for better bike lanes and pedestrian amenities. “It really is dumbfounding that while the city is trying to develop multimodal safe roadways, it would intervene with a city-operated capsu- lar or digital kiosk program,” Kelsey said. “It’s a recipe for disaster.” However, the kiosks are speci cally placed in areas with reduced speeds and near tra c lights to ensure safety, IKE Development Director Anna Baerman said. In an email, Baerman said the IKE— which stands for “interactive kiosk experience”—team works closely
Plans to install 75 interactive, 8-foot-tall kiosks around Houston will help improve the city’s reputa- tion as a technology hub, city o cials said. However, the new innovation has some residents and organizations concerned about safety and main- taining scenic corridors. Created by a company called IKE Smart City, the kiosks can be used to help residents and tourists search for cultural institutions, local busi- nesses, homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs and food support. They also o er Wi-Fi, public transit data and games. When not in use, the kiosks will display art, community and commercial content. The rst of the kiosks was unveiled Feb. 7 on Avenida de las Americas in downtown Houston. The rest will be placed all over the city in three phases of 25 kiosks each, 10% of which will be located in underserved communities, city o cials said. All 75 kiosks should be installed by 2023. In a 12-year contract with IKE, the city of Houston is expected to receive between $11 million and $50 million in advertising revenue from the kiosks. Community activist and Heights resident Kevin Strickland told Community Impact Newspaper he is worried about safety, especially for bicyclists and as a potential distrac- tion to drivers. “I’m a big promoter of biking safety, ... sidewalks and walkability, which is an extremely di cult thing
Proposed kiosk location
11TH ST.
10TH ST.
Some Heights residents are concerned IKE kiosks, the rst of which is in downtown Houston, will cause safety issues at several potential locations. (So a Gonzalez/Community Impact Newspaper)
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SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
with the city to ensure resolutions for property owners who voiced concerns. She said the locations have not yet been con rmed because the company is still going through technical due diligence. Along with safety concerns, Kelsey said he is worried about scenic corridors and parks in Houston. Heights Boulevard is a scenic cor- ridor, meaning it is one of 19 areas in Houston that is protected from exten- sive signage under the city’s building code. Within the code, spectacular signs—a sign with ashing, rotating lights or a sign that changes messages automatically more often than once
in ve minutes—are prohibited in scenic corridors. Baerman said the kiosks will not have ashing lights. However, she said they will have rotating panels at 10-second intervals when not in use. Still, Kelsey said he thinks the city would be bending its own rules if it allows the signs to go up in the Heights. “The Heights is one of the very few in tact historic 19th century neigh- borhoods,” Kelsey said. “So there’s a scenic character that everyone in Houston appreciates that has been preserved. It’s a huge amenity for everyone.”
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • APRIL 2022
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