A city presentation outlines the 10-year IKE Smart City kiosk contract, including revenue sharing and placement plans (Photo: City of Charlotte)
CHARLOTTE – As Charlotte moves toward its goal of becoming a more connected, data-driven city, plans for installing new digital kiosks across Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods have sparked both optimism and debate among residents.
The kiosks, part of the city’s partnership with IKE Smart City, are designed to serve as interactive information hubs that offer directions, public transit updates, and local event listings. City officials say the goal is to improve accessibility, strengthen tourism, and make the pedestrian experience more engaging.
An excerpt from the ordinance shows new city code language permitting interactive wayfinding kiosks in Charlotte (Photo: City of Charlotte)
“When Charlotte designed its pedestrian plan, the goal was for every walking experience to be safe, useful and inviting,” said Meg Fencil, director of engagement and impact for Sustain Charlotte. “Digital kiosks have the potential to support those goals by providing real-time safety alerts, transit information and event updates that make our public spaces more connected and welcoming.”
Fencil said the kiosks’ design aligns with principles in Charlotte Walks, a pedestrian plan developed several years ago to make city streets safer and more enjoyable.
Features such as emergency alerts and Wi-Fi access are intended to make public spaces not just more functional, but also more people-centered.
Still, some residents and business owners are more cautious about the rollout. For Anthony Greene, a small business owner who runs a café near one of the proposed kiosk sites in Uptown, the project raises questions about its long-term impact on local commerce.
“I understand the idea behind making the city more connected, but I’m not convinced these kiosks will actually drive people into small businesses,” Greene said. “If people can get everything they need from a screen, they might not explore the area as much. I just hope this doesn’t become another shiny tech project that overlooks what neighborhoods really need.”
Charlotte City Code defines digital kiosks as part of the city’s smart infrastructure initiative (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Greene added that while he supports innovation, he hopes the city evaluates how digital infrastructure can strengthen — not replace — personal and economic connections between residents and their communities.
As installation plans move forward, city leaders have emphasized the importance of oversight and transparency. The Charlotte Department of Transportation will help determine kiosk placement to avoid obstructing sidewalks or creating accessibility challenges. Officials also say privacy protections and maintenance plans will be included to ensure kiosks remain up-to-date and secure.
The city expects the first kiosks to be installed in early 2026, marking another step in Charlotte’s evolving effort to merge technology with everyday life.
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