by Carl McIntyre
There are 398 billboard locations and about 600 signs (many with multiple sign faces) in the City of Saint Paul, the highest concentration of any city in Minnesota. That works out to 7.5 billboard locations per square mile .
That’s a lot of signs! Most are owned by Clear Channel, a media giant owning several, if not the most radio outlets in the state. (Locally: KDWB, KEEY, KFAN, KFXN, KQQL, KTCZ & KTLK).
The glut of billboards in St. Paul is an issue that has been debated over the years—eight years ago, according to the article, a referendum to remove the signs in the neighborhoods (excluding the freeway signs) failed to pass (I’ll bet there was some serious lobbying on that one!)
How many of you remember the delightful series of Burma Shave signs that used to be along the highways? They were a series of small signs, each with a single line: “These signs” “We gladly” “Dedicate” “To men who’ve had” “No date of late” “Burma Shave” [source] They were fun, but the signs were deemed by many as too distracting. But those old signs are nothing compared to the distraction created by the new electronic signs that are beginning to appear around the Cities.
Clear Channel wants to erect “up to 15 digital billboards along freeways” [TwinCities.com], and the city wants them to tear down “dozens” of neighborhood static signs in exchange. Clear Channel thinks that is too much.
It should be noted that the single sign erected so far in St. Paul located on the Midway along I94, IS very bright and distracting with it’s ever-changing message. It very-well could be dangerously distracting for drivers on this very busy freeway—my opinion.
What say you? Is this a free speech issue? Should these electronic signs be banned altogether? Should they be limited? Should all billboards be banned? Is there room for compromise?
* On-line article posted 21 Nov 07 @ 12:01am CST: “Opinions harden in billboard debate” by Laura Yen & Maryjo Webster
Hey Carl!! I tell you that zoning issues are always close to my heart because they can make or break a great community. In my opinion, big signs belong only in high traffiqued commercial areas and even then, there has to be restrictions.
I am surprised to hear about the amount of signs in Saint Paul! Since digital/electronic signs are definitely distracting, is up to the city to negotiate those permits.
Ideally a reduction in the other signs around the city (like you mentioned) would be a good compromise. I do think that there also has to be a limit to the digital signs and maybe a probation period in case there’s an increase in accidents because to them.
It’s not an easy question – especially when you are dealing with a powerful company like Clear Channel. Please keep us informed on what happens.
Clear Channel is quick to litigate. This should be interesting.
Without all of the big billboards…how am I going to know what to buy? Or where to go and spend my money?
Oh..wait, I don’t have any money… RIP’EM DOWN!!!
Bob: No money for purchasing products advertised on billboards? Rip down the billboards! Seems logical to me!
LOL
I get distracted by those electronic billboards because my girls yell from the back seat, “Mom, look at that!”
I’d rather see the trees, myself.
I prefer trees as well, but billboards, even electronic ones, have their place, I guess. There are just too many of them. I also question the “distractor factor” of them as a safety issue.