Why haven’t the lights downtown been changed over to LED’s yet? It seems that the whole city has already been converted, but the one area that is supposed to be a priority with the city hasn’t? What gives? Sixth street and the downtown parking lots look and feel so much safer compared to the old yellow hued sodium lights that (make) these places look like a dingy industrial area and unsafe. Good and appropriate lighting increases a sense of community, and community pride, so one would think that the conversion of downtown lights would have been done first not last.
Red Phone:
Red Phone appreciates downtown advocates who care about the appearance of Gilroy, good caller, and is happy to investigate this mystery for you. Red Phone contacted Gilroy Traffic Engineer, Henry Servin, who happens to know a lot about street lighting in Gilroy.
As mentioned in a previous Red Phone inquiry, the City of Gilroy has been in the process of re-lighting Gilroy with energy efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) streetlights that provide superior illumination at night. According to Servin, “We took care of the taller street lamps first in the residential neighborhoods, and major streets second.” These were the easier installations and they have been completed.
The last but not least will be the installation of the LED lights in the downtown area. Servin explained, “The downtown light poles are shorter, about 14 feet high, and they have the decorative acorn-like globes on top. Because of this, they require careful handling and therefore were saved for the last.” Servin also said, “On 6th, we have the single acorn-lamps, and in the rest of the downtown area we have the double acorn-lamps. Altogether, we have 160 LED heads to install.”
Servin said, “We have been waiting for a lull in the traffic. We will bring in trucks with bucket lifts to help install the lights, which may affect traffic in the area. The installation should be completed in time for the Garlic Festival. ”
So, good caller, thank you for your inquiry. Let there be lights in Gilroy!
