Should Norcross Replace its Reader Board With a Digital One?
The city council has been in talks about upgrading its downtown announcement board.
Updated, 10:59 a.m.
For the past few months, the Norcross City Council has been considering upgrading downtown's current announcement board by the railroad tracks next to Thrasher Park with a digital display reader.
As noted in the city council agenda and in the July work session, the proposed reader would be more convenient and beneficial. Multiple messages can be posted and rotated, and the content can be changed by a wireless remote, making it easier to create last-minute emergency notices. The screen's brightness can also be altered by the push of a few buttons.
What do you think of a new display reader for city announcements? Tell us in the comments.
"The Design Committee believes this is a 'creative' solution for city message boards that will add to Norcross' image as a leader in innovative solutions," wrote Councilman Charlie Riehm in the agenda proposal.
City members researched the pros and cons of having either an LCD or LED screen. Riehm said they're leaning more toward a black-and-white LED display because of a better resolution, brightness and readability in the sun. The reader would cost $21,873 and include all the programming software. Additionally, a $10,000 donation from an anonymous business has been set to go toward paying for the reader, too.
The price tag is one of the main reasons why Councilman David McLeroy voiced opposition to the new reader, though.
"I just don't think we need to spend $22,000 on taking that board out, honestly," he said in the July policy work session.
Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Hixson mentioned some people may feel a nostalgia for the old board, so McLeroy also pointed out that he would like the citizens' input on it. The council decided to make that motion and bring it to the city council meeting and regular work session Monday.
The monthly regular work session will take place Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the second-floor conference room in Norcross City Hall, located at 65 Lawrenceville St. The city council meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
What do you think about upgrading the reader board with a digital LED display? Do you think a new board is too costly or something the city should invest in? Tell us in the comments.
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Hoyt Hutcheson
8:09 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
I agree with David McLeroy. This is not the time to be unnecessarily spending the taxpayer's money. How about a little fiscal responsibility and saving it for a rainy day?
Neva Spell
10:54 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Lets think this one through. $21,873.00 on a board that will be so bright at night that it will literally brighten up the south end of Gwinnett County. If anybody wants to see what it will look like, just go to the Norcross 1st Baptist late at night and check their sign out and ask the local residents around it, what it is like, during dark hours. If the merchants can't use neon lights in their windows, according to city ordiance, then lets forget about neon digital-display-reader boards.
Sally Toole
11:06 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
I agree Neva- NFBC has a crazy bright sign and I think it would look tacky in our little town- is it too hard for workers to spell and replace the letters?
LilZ
11:12 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
I think a digital board would be nice but I could see it causing car crashes right there, when people are trying to read all of the multiple messages that are probably going by too fast to read!
Andy Darnell
11:12 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
If you do get a digital one... perhaps you could sell the old one to the city of Peachtree Corners. We can move it down off of Winters Chapel where the city limits actually begin.
Sally Toole
12:17 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
Good one Andy!!! There were older signs that were nice but we replaced them as well...
Kane McConnell
5:48 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
I've walked by that many times and never realized there was a sign there. I'm always looking to see if a train is coming. I think online distribution of announcements is much more cost effective and able to reach an entire community rather than the few that happen to cross the tracks.
Ground Chuck
6:38 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
NO, NO, NO. It will be read by whom? DRIVERS. Driving through that area does not need additional distractions. It's dangerous enough! This looks more like a play toy than something useful. Removing the newsletter from the City Bill was the first bad idea! This is the second!
Momotwins
9:54 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Bad Idea! Expensive idea! A distraction for all drivers. First Baptist Church has one and it is almost impossible to see more than one message in the time it takes to drive past the church. There are too many cars and people near the current city sign to further temp drivers from taking their eyes off the intersections.
Jason J.
11:57 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Spending $21,000 on a small sign for community announcements is a waste of money. There are so many better things that we can spend that money on. Cleaning up Buford Highway would be a good place to start. We really need to pass a ordinance to get rid of all Billboards in Norcross as well. They are unsightly and detract from the value of the community.
Liz Bigler
7:46 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I don't think we need it. The current sign matches the feel of downtown Norcross. Classy, classic. I wouldn't want to see a bright electronic sign there. Save the money.
Barbara
11:29 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
What? The DDA represents "all citizens"? Where do they meet? Bucky's house? I thought City Council represented all citizens. I vote no. I live in the downtown area. Do I get to vote?