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.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety
More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.
New York Passes Housing Package Focused on New Development and Adaptive Reuse
The FY 2025 budget includes a new tax incentive, funding for affordable housing on state land, and support for adaptive reuse and ADUs.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
