KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – As the City of Keene contemplates a request to install a banner system in Downtown Keene, residents had mixed reactions in a recent FlashVote survey on the matter.

Previously, Ted McGreer, owner of Ted’s Shoe and Sport, and Tim Pipp of Beeze Tees on Main Street in Keene approached the City Council requesting that the city install infrastructure to facilitate hanging banners across Main Street to be utilized by organizations hosting events in the city. It would span about 80 feet, across the four traffic lanes and the median on Main Street from Emerald Street to Eagle Court, between The Works Café and Ted’s Shoe & Sport.

Council’s Municipal Services, Facilities, and Infrastructure (MSFI) committee has volleyed the idea around a bit and most recently heard from Public Works Director Don Lussier who presented different options should the council choose to move forward with it, and provided some potential policy recommendations, outlined some possible issues, and discussed the cost.

Ultimately, at their meeting on April 23rd, the MSFI committee voted 4-1 to put the matter on more time with the intention of picking it back up at their next meeting.

In the meantime, the city conducted a FlashVote survey this week to get a feel for the broader community’s opinion on the matter.

Of the 324 total participants, 24% said they felt that a Main Street banner would be very effective in increasing awareness of downtown events. However, that was closely followed by 22% saying it would be somewhat effective, 19% slightly effective, and 20% saying it would be not at all effective.

30% of participants, the majority, said they strongly disagreed with the statement that the “installation of a large, regularly changing banner across Main Street would add to the vibrancy and appeal of downtown Keene.” 25% said they somewhat disagreed, 20% somewhat agreed, and only 9% said they strongly agreed.

According to the survey there would be a one-time $50,000 cost to the city to install the banner support structure, and an overwhelming majority of survey-takers, 42%, said they definitely do not feel like that would be a good investment for the City of Keene. That was followed by 23% who responded probably no, and 18% who said maybe. 11% responded probably yes, and 4% said definitely yes. 2% were unsure.

In the final question participants could enter in their own comments on the matter. Some reaffirmed that they believe it would increase the appeal of downtown and help increase awareness of events.

“We had a banner in the 50’s across Main Street…it’s time we did it again!” one participant said.

However, most responses expressed concerns about cost, distractions, and questioned its necessity.

“While I can see the benefit of additional advertisement of upcoming activities, I do worry about the visual impact to blocking the clear line of sight down the tree-lined main street that gives downtown its current charm,” one participant said. “This is ridiculous. What a waste of time and money…we’ve got a gigantic Main Street project coming up and the plan is to spend more money on a sign?! Please stop wasting our tax dollars on things like this.” another said in their response.

You can see the full survey results here.