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MOUNT VERNON — It’s getting easier to look on the bright side in Mount Vernon thanks to a recently completed infrastructure project.
The city last month unveiled new “smart streetlight” technology in collaboration with Alliant Energy. The pilot program aims to enhance energy efficiency and bolster amenities in Mount Vernon’s historic uptown district.
“It’s amazing. You think a light pole is just a light pole, but there were so many different capabilities on each one,” said Mayor Tom Wieseler. “We didn’t put every service on every single light pole, but we did enough that we felt it was unique enough for our” uptown area.
Wieseler said the 24 new light poles were “strategically placed” along First Street between A Avenue E. to Fourth Avenue W. Construction began on the project this spring, and installation was completed in mid-July. The project is being funded through a cost share between Alliant and the City of Mount Vernon.
The modern, LED light poles provide brighter, more reliable lighting for the community when compared to the former fixtures — providing benefits to both drivers and pedestrians in terms of nighttime visibility.
The fixtures also are equipped with internet hot spots to help boost Wi-Fi access in the uptown area, which Wieseler said has been a community desire for nearly 10 years. A select number also are equipped with LED messaging banners, electrical outlets and/or speaker systems.
“The ability to make (auditory) announcements when there are downtown festivals is huge if there’s an emergency or something weather related,” said Wieseler, who noted the potential for more jovial sound system uses, too, such as playing music during festivals.
A car drives past newly installed streetlights along First Street in Mount Vernon on Monday. The city installed 24 new lights through a partnership with Alliant Energy. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
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The Mount Vernon project is part of an ongoing pilot program through Alliant Energy, which approached city officials about a potential partnership more than two years ago, and city staff decided to move forward with the program after visiting a similar Alliant project in Platteville, Wis.
Senior customer solutions specialist Heidi Parker told The Gazette that the program aims to study the integration of advanced, energy-efficient technologies while also supporting community development efforts within Alliant’s service area.
“As technologies continue to evolve, communities are increasingly looking to new, creative solutions that benefit residents and local businesses,” Parker said in a written statement. “We’re pleased to partner with the Mount Vernon community and support the city’s goals through this collaborative effort.”
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