Posted February 5, 200916 yr See the following posting at Realneo -- http://realneo.us/content/billboards-akron-and-cleveland Share your opinions and perspectives on what is anticipated to be an amendment of the city of Akron's Billboard Ordinance -- next week, and what direction you think Cleveland should take with its' legislation. Do you think digital billboards are cool high-tech symbols of progress or fancy versions of a Dinosaur-age media? Regards, Brian Cummins Cleveland City Councilman, Ward 15 [email protected]
February 5, 200916 yr Personally, I like the electronic billboards. Somewhat of a reinterpretation of the neon signs of pre-1980's. However, I'd like to see them within the fabric of the city instead of on posts on the side of freeways. The south side of the Standard Building (facing Public Square) would be an interesting spot, or the top of the Forest City Bank at Detroit and W25th. The more the better.
February 5, 200916 yr I like them too, and I agree that they should be more prominently displayed. Some light and color would help downtown a lot. The screens Columbus put up on capitol square give it a big-time feel it didn't have before. I've heard concerns about putting anything tacky behind the old stone church, but the current blank wall is no good. I liked that wall much better when there was a Browns QB painted on it.
February 6, 200916 yr I generally like them. But I also think that City Council should NOT legislate rules on this. Let the real estate owners and the Community Development Groups decide what's best for their specific areas.
February 6, 200916 yr I only like them if they get rid of several other regular billboards. Billboards are eyesores in my opinion, and I'd rather not see them .. though I guess they're somewhat of a necessary evil.
February 6, 200916 yr Not sure how any urbanist could be against billboards. They add layers to the urban fabric through color, lights, and imagery as opposed to the static bricks and mortar of the city.
February 6, 200916 yr The biggest sell for me on the digital billboards came last summer when I was riding in a car during a thunderstorm. It was dark, rainy, windy, and we were on the High-Rise Bridge in Milwaukee (A super tall, super long freeway bridge.) Then all the billboards around us started flashing the words "TORNADO WARNING!" We pulled over and went into the nearest business. Had it not been for those billboards we would've had no clue about the tornado.
February 6, 200916 yr The biggest sell for me on the digital billboards came last summer when I was riding in a car during a thunderstorm. It was dark, rainy, windy, and we were on the High-Rise Bridge in Milwaukee (A super tall, super long freeway bridge.) Then all the billboards around us started flashing the words "TORNADO WARNING!" We pulled over and went into the nearest business. Had it not been for those billboards we would've had no clue about the tornado. I didn't know they could be wired for that. Very cool. These were normally commercial billboards?
February 6, 200916 yr The biggest sell for me on the digital billboards came last summer when I was riding in a car during a thunderstorm. It was dark, rainy, windy, and we were on the High-Rise Bridge in Milwaukee (A super tall, super long freeway bridge.) Then all the billboards around us started flashing the words "TORNADO WARNING!" We pulled over and went into the nearest business. Had it not been for those billboards we would've had no clue about the tornado. I didn't know they could be wired for that. Very cool. These were normally commercial billboards? They can be programmed to broadcast Public Alert information. An example is Ambler alerts.
February 6, 200916 yr Not sure how any urbanist could be against billboards. They add layers to the urban fabric through color, lights, and imagery as opposed to the static bricks and mortar of the city. What about the clearly auto-oriented billboards along the major thoroughfares of the city? The ones not on buildings, but taking up otherwise vacant lots. To me, these are just an ugly reminder that certain city streets, even though they have stores and houses, have been turned over to suburban commuters. Not that we need to have an "us v. them" mentality, but it definitely sucks for the people who live or shop on that street.
February 6, 200916 yr Not sure how any urbanist could be against billboards. They add layers to the urban fabric through color, lights, and imagery as opposed to the static bricks and mortar of the city. What about the clearly auto-oriented billboards along the major thoroughfares of the city? The ones not on buildings, but taking up otherwise vacant lots. To me, these are just an ugly reminder that certain city streets, even though they have stores and houses, have been turned over to suburban commuters. Not that we need to have an "us v. them" mentality, but it definitely sucks for the people who live or shop on that street. Exactly. I just think they're ugly. I could certainly do with a serious reduction in the amount of them.
February 6, 200916 yr Yeah. Not to belabor my point .. but I just don't like billboards in general. Electronic or the old ones. The only reason I would support the new electronic ones would be if they got rid of several of the old billboards, which is according to Cleveland's ordinance. But otherwise, they fill my sightlines with ads for crap that I could care less about. I'd rather they were gone completely. They're eyesores, in my opinion. But that's just me. I'd much rather look at other "urban fabric".
February 6, 200916 yr Yeah. Not to belabor my point .. but I just don't like billboards in general. Electronic or the old ones. The only reason I would support the new electronic ones would be if they got rid of several of the old billboards, which is according to Cleveland's ordinance. But otherwise, they fill my sightlines with ads for crap that I could care less about. I'd rather they were gone completely. They're eyesores, in my opinion. But that's just me. I'd much rather look at other "urban fabric". Even if it is a huge blank wall? We have a few of those.
February 6, 200916 yr Even if it is a huge blank wall? We have a few of those. More often than not, yes. There are exceptions, but they're few.
February 11, 200916 yr Cleveland officials considering halt to new digital billboards Posted by Henry J. Gomez / Plain Dealer Reporter February 11, 2009 09:05AM Cleveland, where officials six months ago were exploring ways to ease electronic billboard regulations, might reverse course and place a moratorium on the high-tech form of outdoor advertising. A City Council member and a top aide to Mayor Frank Jackson said the move, which would require legislative approval, would buy time to hammer out a deal more favorable to the city... http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/cleveland_officials_considerin.html
February 11, 200916 yr And another... Looks like sleazy tactics by Clear Channel here. Did anyone go to the billboard meeting last week? Clear Channel accuses Cleveland Councilman Brian Cummins of hypocrisy in billboard beef by Henry J. Gomez/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday February 11, 2009, 9:51 AM The folks at Clear Channel Outdoor are livid with Councilman Brian Cummins, who they feel has made a mess of their efforts to change the city's billboard code. Cummins, I reported today, is pushing for a ban on new billboard construction. City officials are considering a moratorium on new electronic boards so they can have more time to reach a solution... http://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/index.ssf/2009/02/clear_channel_claws_at_council.html
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