Bill Proposed To Limit Commercial Signage
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
A bill before the City Council aims to improve the look of empty storefronts and businesses by curbing the number of ads posted on their windows. NY1’s Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.Councilman James Van Bramer is trying to limit the number of ads for retail or commercial space for rent to no more than one on each side of a vacant building.
"It's a real quality of life concern for my constituents," said Van Bramer. “This kind of over-signage is unnecessary. It's cluttered and part of the littering of the landscape of our neighborhoods and our cities."
Indeed, some city residents are complaining about the amount of signage in commercial windows across the city.
"Who wants to see that?" said South Slope’s Naomi Nissen.
"It doesn't look all that great," said Aretha Waltonfambro as she looked at signs in East Flatbush.
Others complained about the amount of signs used to solicit sales or leases.
"You don't need so many, you just need, like, one," said Charles Cudd, a Queens resident.
Some businesses are definitely opposed to the idea of limiting signage, and representatives from one real estate trade association said one size never fits all. With some buildings, they argue, two signs are not enough.
Empty storefronts can look overwhelmed with signs, but at times it’s only one very long ad.
Other signs are actually well-designed. Some people said they improve the scenery and that City Council members should leave them alone.
"Whatever floats their boat,” said Greenpoint’s Sarah Ahlgren. “It doesn't bother me."