Before bus shelters start popping up along Evanston streets, city officials want to meet with the company contracted to provide them to discuss the design — which received less-than-stellar reviews from aldermen.

In September the city entered into a 10-year contract with Florida-based Creative Outdoor Advertising of America, Inc. to install and maintain bus shelters bearing advertisements starting in May.

Roughly 90 locations throughout the city have been selected to receive shelters, pending council approval. But at this week’s city council meeting, at least one alderman questioned the effectiveness of the proposed design as an actual shelter for commuters.

“Where’s the shelter part to them?” questioned Ald. Ann Rainey, 8th. “The reason I want bus shelters is because I’ve seen some of the Pace shelters. They’re lovely. They are very nice. They keep them spotless. They’re enclosed and they are protected.”

“How do these shelters do anything other than serve as a four-legged billboard?” she added.

Ald. Delores Holmes, 5th, thought a bus shelter model could give alderman a different perspective on the design, while Ald. Judy Fiske, 1st, wanted reassurance that COA would provide regular maintenance to the shelters and keep them free of graffiti.

The design shows a four-posted shelter made from galvanized steel tubing and hard-form plastic, with glass on three sides. The bus shelter design is the only one used by the company, according to city engineer Paul Schneider.

“I don’t understand the design at all,” Rainey countered. “It’s stupid looking. It looks like it’s going to take off or something.”

When the city sought proposals to provide bus shelters, Creative Outdoor Advertising of America was one of only two companies to submit proposals. The other company, Builders Chicago Corporation from Huntley, Ill., was considered to have submitted an incomplete proposal, according to a staff memo.

“They do not have previous experience with a similar bus shelter program,” the memo states. “Their proposal lacked a detailed maintenance plan as well as company financial information.”

The city’s contract with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America requires the company to assume responsibility for all costs pertaining to the design, construction, installation and maintenance of the bus shelters. Advertising space will be available on the shelters, and COA will solicit the space to local businesses. Evanston stands to make either 10 percent of the net advertising revenue or $250 per shelter, per year, depending on which figure is higher.

If each location slated to receive a shelter actually ends up with one, the city will generate no less than $22,500 per year. But some locations have been removed from the list, including spots on Sheridan Road and at the intersection of Oakton Street and Ridge Avenue.

“I don’t want to be misunderstood. I like this company. I thought that they were very thoughtful and caring and very easy to interact with,” Rainey said. “That will never be in a historic district, and it’s not going to be on Howard Street either. It’s just not.”

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz told council members he would bring the issue back to the council at a later date in order to determine if any additional design options are available.

Representatives from Creative Outdoor Advertising of America could not be reached for comment.