Officials eye downtown speaker system

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, August 9, 2017

This holiday season, the sounds of “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night” may be broadcast around The Square, thanks to a speaker system being considered by local leaders.

Michelle Williamson, community relations coordinator for the Limestone County Commission, said a request for proposals has been issued for a wireless system that would be mounted to light poles around the Limestone County Courthouse. Those proposals are expected to be opened later this month and could be awarded in September.

Such speaker systems are not unique and are seemingly growing in popularity. The town of Winchester, Tennessee, which also has a downtown square, approved a speaker system in 2015 at a cost of $23,000. A downtown system under consideration in Sarasota, Florida, has an estimated price tag of $70,000, according to published media reports.

Though the final cost hasn’t been determined, the project will be funded by the County Commission, city of Athens and TVA-in-lieu-of-tax funds provided by State Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, a member of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation.

City of Athens spokesperson Holly Hollman said the city is in favor of the system because the ability to pipe in Christmas music would add holiday ambience to the annual Christmas open house and other events like Sippin’ Cider.

“It would be a great asset,” she said.

Williamson said the speakers could be used for much more than just holiday music. She explained they could be used as a public address system during other events like car shows or festivals like the annual Athens Grease Festival and Athens Storytelling Festival.

“It would definitely improve our capability in having events downtown, and an added feature is that it would be good for the community,” she said. “The Square is the heart of the county; it’s where everything happens.”

Williamson said the system could possibly be installed in time for this year’s holiday season.