DALLAS — Dallas officials are again considering placing interactive, digital kiosks on sidewalks throughout the city.
The kiosks, similar to ones already in cities like Houston, Denver, Atlanta and Miami, could provide free community Wi-Fi, transit data, public safety alerts, security cameras and more.
Officials said in a Wednesday city council briefing that the digital kiosks could also generate around $20,000 in revenue per kiosk annually for the city.
There are already 18 digital kiosks in Victory Park, which the city doesn't receive any revenue from, as part of a real estate agreement with the developer.
Dallas also has 137 static kiosks throughout the city, part of a contract the city approved in 2005 that expires in 2028. The new digital kiosk program could replace the static kiosks after that contract expires.
City officials estimate the static kiosks have generated nearly $21 million over 20 years from advertising.
Not everyone’s sold on the digital kiosks, though. Concerns raised by city council members on Wednesday were where the kiosks would be placed, potential privacy issues and potential impacts on walkability.
“I feel like there’s a privacy issue just on its face and so I’d want to dig into that a little bit more, or a lot more,” Dallas City Council member Chad West said.
West also requested that revenue from a digital kiosk program, if approved, would go toward things like putting in ramps for wheelchairs, landscaping and lighting.
“I have not been supportive of these kiosks,” Dallas City Council member Jaynie Schutz added. “I think we’re in a very different situation fiscally…as far as looking for opportunities…looking for pennies everywhere in the couch and so this is something that I don’t think we should just dismiss.”
Another council member also questioned who would address the cleanliness of the kiosks.
Wednesday's meeting was not the first time the city council has considered digital kiosks.
Dallas officials were briefed on a plan to request proposals from vendors to install, operate, maintain and share revenue on interactive digital kiosks within the public right-of-way in May 2023.
The city posted the request for proposal that month after receiving positive feedback, but concerns were raised about whether or not public improvement was sought. The city council authorized the rejection of the proposals received back in February.