The Conservation Society of San Antonio
Alert
Ordinance to Implement Digital Media and Arts Pilot Program
City Council Hearing for
9 AM Thursday, June 12th
Municipal Plaza Building: 114 W. Commerce St.
Conservation Society Members: Please show up in Conservation Society purple!
The San Antonio Conservation Society has legal, environmental and economic concerns about the “Digital Media and Arts Pilot Program” also known as the “Urban Entertainment District Pilot Project”. This advertising program violates the Unified Development Code and has no proven economic upside. The ‘pilot program’ does not have an end-date nor a provision for the removal of the signs. The program is proposed as a moneymaker yet the experience of Denver, Atlanta and Cincinnati is that revenues were a fraction of what was promised and did not materialize for years.
Take Action!
A public survey showed overwhelming public opposition (71% opposed) to this pilot program. We are urging City Council NOT to approve this ordinance. Please join with us!
Members of the public can comment on items on the City Council agenda. The Digital Media ordinance is Agenda Item 20. Click here to sign up to speak or submit a written comment. You may view the agenda here. Note: Speaker registration closes at 8:45 AM on June 12th. Questions relating to these rules may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at (210) 207-7253.
You can also email the Mayor and City Council individually:
District 2 – Jalen McKee-Rodriguez
District 6 – Melissa Cabello Havrda
District 7 – Marina Alderete Gavito
Background
We have seen a “pilot” program before with the digital kiosks, which quickly became permanent. The digital kiosks installed over five years ago were touted as wayfinding but are primarily advertising.
The City adopted its Sign Code, Chapter 28 of the UDC two years ago. The law required advertising companies to remove four billboards for every new digital billboard, thus improving the overall urban environment. The “Digital Media and Arts Pilot Program” flouts this law, increasing signage. To be profitable, the program will have to be in high-traffic areas, which are historic and would be ruined by these advertisements.