The city of San Jose has taken another step toward a possible public-private partnership that would replace 40,000 streetlights with energy efficient LEDs with smart controllers.
Earlier this year city officials called it the largest streetlight conversion plan of its kind in the U.S.
Assistant City Manager David Sykes wrote in a Sept. 29 update to the city council that after receiving input from 40 representatives from private-sector companies. The RFP has been split into two phases: Phase 1 is a short two-page proposal; phase 2 will invite the concepts which are feasible to submit a full proposal.
“Overwhelmingly, the businesses told staff that they would like to bring their most creative proposals to the city,” Sykes wrote in the memo.
San Jose has replaced 23,000 streetlights with LED since 2008. But 40,000 more still remain.
“Converting these lights and controller units is estimated to cost approximately $32 million. Given the other pressing infrastructure needs the city has, Council directed staff to turn this funding challenge into an opportunity for creative solutions,” city staff reported.
Proposals could conceivably include leasing real estate, naming rights, sites used for small-cell technology, or other assets.
Phase 1 submissions for the “Innovative LED Streetlight RFP” is due Nov. 20. Phase 2 full proposals will come two months later, on Jan. 29.
