Lighting project seeks to change the color of downtown

Lighting project seeks to change the color of downtown
Downtown Le Mars may soon be more colorful at night, if a joint venture between the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce and the Le Mars Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is undertaken.

The two groups are proposing to install permanent LED lighting on the top of buildings in a five-block area of downtown, as well as lighting the trees downtown.

The proposed designated first phase area would include Central Avenue from the Le Mars Beauty College to Bamboo Village - both sides of the street and on Plymouth Street from Bixenman Insurance to Sherwin Williams.

Estimated cost of the project is $56,000 and will be paid for by fundraising events held by the Chamber and CVB.

A public meeting on the project will be held Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level of Primebank.

Those attending are asked to use the north doors of Primebank. Business owners, building owners and Le Mars citizens are invited to come to the meeting to learn more about the possible project.

A presentation by Bill Kahler, of Channel Brite Lighting, of Dakota Dunes, S.D, will demonstrate the lighting system and answer questions about the project.

The Channel Brite Permanent Outdoor LED Lighting System was developed to provide year-round lighting that is attractive and long lasting, according to Mary Reynolds, Main Street manager, Le Mars Chamber of Commerce.

The system is energy efficient and it only needs to be put up once. The system is virtually unnoticeable when not turned on, and can easily be changed to celebrate any occasion.

Le Mars is looking at the color combination of red, green and amber.

"We like this color combination because it color coordinates with (red) Le Mars Community School, (green) Gehlen Catholic and (amber) a good off-season color," Reynolds said.

The city of Clarion was among the first to use Channel Brite to light its downtown. Reynolds and Main Street Organizational and Design Committee members have been exploring the possibility of doing a similar project in Le Mars for two years.

If the project proceeds, one business in each block will house a controller mechanism for the block. Business owners in the block would share the cost of electricity. The City of Le Mars will pay the cost for lighting the trees, according to Reynolds.

"We'll also be able to coordinate our color scheme with Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, Memorial Day along with lots of other school events," said Jessica Lingren, CVB manager. "You can change the pattern and speed so that you can have a different light display every night! It's going to add a lot to our downtown atmosphere."

"We feel this project, along with the wonderful downtown we have, will create a warm and welcoming space," said Reynolds.