It's big, bright and in front of San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts

"The first new digital billboard is finally live in downtown San Jose in front of the Center for the Performing Arts. And depending who you ask that either means the future has arrived or it's the end of the world as we know it. One thing is for sure, the curved electronic sign on the corner of Almaden Boulevard and Park Avenue is big, bold and sure to stir up controversy now that it's no longer an abstract notion."

"Back in February, the city council approved leasing those digital billboards to Orange Barrel Media as well as others at the McEnery Convention Center and parking garages at Market and San Pedro street and Second and San Carlos streets. That was despite years of vocal opposition from a grassroots group, No Digital Billboards in San Jose, which argued against them on several grounds including that they would create light pollution, disrupt the city's historical character and be bad for local business by advertising national brands."

A large curved digital billboard has been installed at Almaden Boulevard and Park Avenue in downtown San Jose, with a second under construction nearby. The city council approved leasing multiple digital billboards to Orange Barrel Media, including placements at the McEnery Convention Center and several parking garages. A grassroots group, No Digital Billboards in San Jose, opposed the plan citing light pollution, threats to historical character, and harms to local business from national advertising. Proponents cited potential removal of other billboards, boosted downtown vibrancy, and an estimated $21 million to the city over two decades. Initial ads feature local arts groups and city branding.

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