A proposal to add billboard advertisements to a pair of city-owned buildings come at a time when residents, and the federal government, are already concerned about the proliferation of billboards in the city.
"Philadelphia is looking to cash in on some of its centrally located government real estate, with billboards proposed for the likes of Apple and Aldo on two of its public office buildings," reports Jabob Adelman. The buildings in question are the Municipal Services Building at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard and the One Parkway Building at 1515 Arch Street.
According to Adelman, the city has seen a wave of new digital billboards attached to development projects along East Market Street. As explained in an article by Inga Saffron from earlier in October, the digital billboards along East Market Street were made possible by a 2011 ordinance that designated the street a "special advertising district."
The ads on the two city-owned buildings were made possible by a May 2013 bill sponsored by City Council President Darrell L. Clarke. "A Council consultant estimated at the time that the city could bring in $8 million from advertising on public buildings, bus shelters, and trash trucks," explains Adelman.
A key point made by both Adelman and Saffron is the role of the Penn Department of Transportation in regulating billboards. The Federal Highway Administration even ordered "that control of those large billboards and digital displays be returned to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, saying the city had not been responsive to questions about enforcement," according to Adelman. Claudia Vargas reported on the Federal Highway Administration's action in September.
FULL STORY: Billboards pitched for Philly municipal office buildings amid outdoor ad boom
Supreme Court Case Could Transform Sign Regulations
If the Supreme Court upholds a lower court decision, cities could lose a long-standing right to regulate 'off-premises' billboards.
Pennsylvania to Shift Funding from Local Roads to Interstate Highways
To prevent losing funding if the state's interstate highways fall below new federal standards, Pennsylvania is rushing to change its capital investments plans.
Wyoming Legislation Would Add Tolls to Interstate 80
A new bill would grant the Wyoming Transportation Commission the authority to impose tolls on all lanes of over 400 miles of I-80 to fund infrastructure needs on the roadway.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont