Digital downtown billboards said to modernize, remove blight in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - More digital billboards could soon be added to San Jose's cityscape.

On Tuesday, city leaders unanimously approved exploring installing electronic signage, they say, will modernize downtown and ease blight.

On East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, traditional billboards made of paper and vinyl, such as the one behind property belonging to Casa Do Benfica, a Portuguese soccer club, are often referred to as blight. 

"Sometimes one is all ripped up," said Carlos Tavares of San Jose. "It's an eyesore that is there. It's been there for many years."

Other billboards are tagged with graffiti. There is a new plan from San Jose city leaders that could do away with these existing old billboards for electronic, sleeker ones instead.

"Probably the most popular sign in all of downtown is at SAP Center," said Scott Knies of the San Jose Downtown Association. "You've got the digital kiosk there, billboard, flashing information, color, excitement, it's almost like art."

Knies said the change comes as downtown is experiencing rapid growth.

"It's going to bring more interest, more excitement and a little more urban, of course a little more commercial," said Knies. 

Blage Zelalich of the San Jose's Economic Development team said the new billboards could include multicolored LED signs with changing content on up to eight public buildings, such as the Hammer Theatre, McEnery Convention Center and parking garages.

"We are in the heart of Silicon Valley, you would expect us to have the most up-to-date billboards," said San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez. 

Peralez said some community members have expressed concerns about "light pollution." The city is partnering with the Lick Observatory to address concerns, angling the LED lights downward.

"Whether it's the digital signage downtown or the electronic billboards, they will have a capacity to dim those lights just like our LED lights throughout the city," said Peralez.

The city is now accepting proposals from media companies. Signs could be up next year and if all works well, the plan could expand to private property.