20-Year Deal Puts Free Digital Signs in Braidwood

Braidwood City Council approved a 20-year lease agreement on November 5 that allows BRT Outdoor LLC to install digital welcome signs on city property at no cost to the municipality.

The contract grants the city one out of every eight message slots on the displays. Each message will run for a minimum of 10 seconds. City officials can use this space for public events, facility updates, and emergency civil defense notifications. BRT Outdoor will install, maintain, and operate the equipment.

The initial installation is scheduled for the intersection of EZ Street and Division Street. The agreement lists four other potential locations: Kankakee Road and Kennedy Road, Coal City Road and Route 129, North Front Street, and East Main Street. Steve Gulden, the city's Administrative Consultant, noted that the remaining sites are not ready for immediate construction.

"We are only going to do the location at EZ and Division now," Gulden said. "The remainder of the sign locations may be years away from construction." Company representatives and Gulden agreed that local rules governing digital signage are strict.

The physical structure will be a property-affixed base made of stone or brick, no taller than 6 feet. Mounted on this base will be a full-color electronic video panel measuring up to 6 feet high and 12 feet wide. Final dimensions will vary by location to meet specific site requirements.

The lease begins upon execution and automatically renews in five-year increments. Either party must provide written notice at least 90 days before a term expires to prevent renewal. If the agreement ends, BRT Outdoor must remove the displays at its own expense. The mayor is authorized to sign the document on behalf of the city.

The city may purchase additional advertising space at commercial rates if needed, but the initial allocation of display time is free. The signs will feature "Welcome to Braidwood" messaging alongside the commercial content.