This Week in the Mercury
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Build Out Another Historic Sign Dies a Clear Channel Death
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Tue, Jun 8, 2010 at 3:50 PM
This isn't 100 percent completely confirmed, but reliable sources have told me that the Portland Storage sign that rises before commuters every time they cross the Morrison Bridge has been sold to Clear Channel. According to two people who rent space in the building, the sign will be painted over and Clear Channel will use it as a giant billboard.
I suppose that it is already a giant billboard right now, but it's a pleasing billboard. It's simple. It references the industrial uses of SE Portland. It's just plain better looking than a Burger King or Pruis ad.
1
Well, and I suppose it needs to be said: it's tragic how little media space is devoted to tiny, scrappy Clear Channel. Now, maybe they can get the recognition they deserve.
9
It can only be converted if it's already an off-premise sign. If it's an on-premise sign, then it can't be used for anything but the businesses on the property, I believe.
12
I've been having a hard time lately rationalizing this type of sentiment to others.... but it's important for more than the aesthetic goddamnit!
13
You have to take a hard line stance on these kind of changes to our city scape. Go to any other large city in the US: they're saturated with marketing. I'd prefer it if our city keeps a low amount of billboards and other signage.
Also, it'd be nice if we banned the driving billboards. Those are ridiculous.
Also, it'd be nice if we banned the driving billboards. Those are ridiculous.
14
I like the old sign, too, and would much rather see it than another billboard.
But remember that building is someone's property. They're going to lease or sell the wall to Clear Channel, and get money in return. So another way of phrasing "Save the old sign!" would be "Let's seize some private property without paying for it!"
I like the old signs around town, but I like the idea of property rights more...
But remember that building is someone's property. They're going to lease or sell the wall to Clear Channel, and get money in return. So another way of phrasing "Save the old sign!" would be "Let's seize some private property without paying for it!"
I like the old signs around town, but I like the idea of property rights more...
15
man, if this is true, sad news. i mean, good for the people gettin' paid. sad for those of us who'll get to stare at a giant ad on the bridge instead of a sign that says "PORTLAND..." in big, beautiful block letters.
16
I always think it's ironic that those who say they're for "the little guy" are the same ones who want to ban billboards and limit opportunities for marketing. The biggest beneficiaries of such laws are the large and established corporations. The little guy suffers the most.
Take, for instance, a cafe or motel off the freeway not close enough for its on-premise signs to be seen -- you know, generally the little guy, as opposed to the Super 8s and Motel 6s of the world. How can he compete without billboards? Is he just supposed to hope that people take an exit and go looking for another motel? Will a traveler go looking for a great independent restaurant a mile off the road without something to induce them to, or will they just hit the drive-thru at McDonald's that they can see from the exit? Even with billboards it might be tough, but without them, they have no chance.
Also, billboards are some of the cheapest advertising you can get. It's a much better value for many businesses than radio, newspaper, or TV. You can get a billboard on the freeway for less that a 1/4 page ad in the Mercury every week -- and it's the cheapest of the big four newspapers in Portland.
Commerce, economic growth, job creation, etc, don't just magically happen. Even the Red & Black has signage.
Take, for instance, a cafe or motel off the freeway not close enough for its on-premise signs to be seen -- you know, generally the little guy, as opposed to the Super 8s and Motel 6s of the world. How can he compete without billboards? Is he just supposed to hope that people take an exit and go looking for another motel? Will a traveler go looking for a great independent restaurant a mile off the road without something to induce them to, or will they just hit the drive-thru at McDonald's that they can see from the exit? Even with billboards it might be tough, but without them, they have no chance.
Also, billboards are some of the cheapest advertising you can get. It's a much better value for many businesses than radio, newspaper, or TV. You can get a billboard on the freeway for less that a 1/4 page ad in the Mercury every week -- and it's the cheapest of the big four newspapers in Portland.
Commerce, economic growth, job creation, etc, don't just magically happen. Even the Red & Black has signage.
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