And the sign says . . .
There’s been a battle between Clear Channel and some cities in Mn about these new fangled flashy signs that are called “dynamic signs”. The Star Tribune reports that Arden Hills has had it’s day in court and won the right to prevent the signs from being installed and used in their city. From the Strib ”
“The practical effect,” said attorney John Baker, of the Minneapolis firm Greene Espel and representing Arden Hills, “is that it prevents a billboard company from unilaterally putting up a dynamic sign and saying it has a right to disregard local laws. To the contrary, it is an expansion of what they had before, and they’ve got to obey the laws as written.”
Clear Channel attorneys could not be reached for comment.”
Have you seen any of these signs yet? I know there’s a giant one near the edge of downtown Minneapolis.
Personally, I didn’t think anyone could mess with Clear Channel and get away with it. Also, I’m glad that the courts affirmed cities can control whether these signs are installed or not.
I find them more distracting than driving while texting.
What do you think?
Couldn’t care less. A billboard is a billboard. Wasn’t it just the City of St. Paul that announced it was putting up "public art" specifically to distract drivers? wtf Oh, and they need a tax increase, too. thx
Intersection of Stinson & 35W has one - visible as you’re driving southbound on 35W (and quite possibly from the other direction, but I get on the freeway at Stinson, so…) When initially installed, it was WAY too bright at night, but they’ve tweaked that, and now it’s become part of the scenery for me.
I’m not a fan of the blinky billboard, but Kevin makes a good point. If it’s just an easier way of changing out the display, that’s one thing. If there’s blinking and scrolling content and stuff that requires you to do more than just glance at it, that’s not okay.
The one at 35W and Lake Street I don’t like. The MPR one on eastbound 94 (just before 280, I think?) is not so bad.
Kevs - You know if I look at the billboard signs as giant artwork for our futuristic robot overlords impending rule, they don’t seem so bad.
Dave - Part of the scenery? Do you think it positively affects the aesthetic of the downtown skyline?
Erica - Agreed on the two different signs. I wonder if the rate at which the signs change is proportional to the distraction?
Honestly, I find the changing pictures to be very distracting. I catch the change out of the corner of my eye and I immediately direct my attention that way, thinking it’s a rapidly moving vehicle or something. I hate ‘em.
So then they should ban rapidly moving vehicles, too.