Watch parties on Old Main? Downtown Bradenton to get a big video screen, council decides
Local leaders plan to take a page out of the big-city playbook by adding a large video screen to the side of the City Centre Parking Garage in downtown Bradenton.
City Administrator Rob Perry unveiled plans to install a 6 foot by 12 foot outdoor screen on the corner of the garage at Old Main Street and Third Avenue West during Tuesday’s public meeting.
The jumbo-sized television can be programmed to assist the city in several ways, according to Perry.
“It provides an opportunity to stand out as a leader in downtown activation,” Perry explained.
The screen would be about the size of two King mattresses, which is large enough to display content that is visible from about a block away.
Similar technology has been deployed in larger downtown areas, such as Orlando, St. Petersburg and New York City. Council members envision using the $60,000 screen to advertise upcoming events, host watch parties for sports games or display promotional videos for the city.
“It’s virtually endless, the functionality of it,” said Perry, who also explained that the cost of the screen was already included as part of the $13.8 million budget for the construction of the parking garage.
Bradenton also has plans to install removable traffic bollards — short poles that temporarily prevent vehicle access — along Old Main Street. Videos would only be shown on the screen when workers install the traffic bollards for pedestrian-only events like the Downtown Bradenton Public Market.
In his pitch to the board, Perry said the huge display would help “establish a modern city” that attracts more visitors to Bradenton’s downtown and Riverwalk area.
“From what we’ve seen so far in talking to the folks who come downtown, it’s been warmly received. Folks like what we’re doing down there,” said Perry. “When we talk about redevelopment, renaissance and rebirth of a downtown, you have to realize you’re competing with other folks. This provides a great deal for us to entertain, communicate and keep interest in our downtown.”
The proposal to install the screen on the garage found unanimous support from the Bradenton City Council, which sat two new members on the same day.
“I support the electronic signage because it’s a vehicle for more communication with the citizens. I think that’s important and will be helpful,” said Councilwoman Lisa Gonzalez Moore.
Moore also suggested holding off on approving the screen until residents could be able to share their thoughts on the idea. Perry pushed back on the suggestion, arguing that a delay could affect the installation timeline.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the garage screen, along with money for additional parking signage on the garage, an artificial turf replacement at Rossi Park along the Riverwalk and traffic safety bollards to block Old Main Street during events.
City leaders say they expect to have the screen installed by April. There are also plans to install a sound system that would allow downtown visitors to hear the audio associated with videos.
