New dark-sky fixtures will replace the glaring "wall-packs" on the State Central Services Building this spring. Appreciation for this change goes out to John Marx of Building and Police Services and to Senator Fred Risser and his office staff. The new lights could compliment the vision-friendly ones on the bike path.
The city will replace the Parkway bridge and streetlights with historic gas or electric styles of full-cutoffs when we decide which kind to officially request. The gas lamp styles conceal their bulbs in the top and shine light down through clear panels. Electric styles house their bulbs in "bells" on "shepherdÕs crook" posts.
Inappropriate new examples went up last year at 18 South Thornton and on the Spaight Street side of the school. Poor designs like these wastefully and unnecessarily "steal the show" as they make it hard to watch over things. Those responsible have been contacted and happily, Dough Pearson of School Building Services promised new fixtures after July 1. Thank you Mr. Pearson. The new lights will shine on the wall instead of away from it with the bulbs concealed from view.
However, the plans call for nearly three times more light than a mid-block street light from each fixture! The objective is to discourage graffiti artists. But graffiti could reduce a lot of glare off a wall this bright. Neighbors just might do their own art.
I pointed out how trouble, graffiti too, is only stopped if someone sees it happening. That someone could easily be a neighbor gazing from a window. That chance is cut with every window any kind of lighting makes "ungazable". Mr. Pearson is considering turning the present lights off for now.
MG&E will help commercial properties install appropriate fixtures; contact Ruth Miller at 252-4703. For other information, call Karolyn Beebe (246-0222) or look up http://www.darksky.org and find the information sheets.