Ads on Philadelphia city buildings, vehicles move closer to reality

The process of putting ads on Philadelphia-owned buildings and vehicles is expected to take another step forward Thursday.

Proposals from several companies seeking to handle municipal advertising are due Thursday, and approximately a dozen companies are expected to submit ideas, said Rich Negrin, the city’s managing director.”All the major players that you would expect from the industry are engaged and involved,” he said. “So we expect very detailed and comprehensive proposals that will bear some fruit.” The city usually makes a contract award within 30 days, but Negrin said he expects that deadline to be extended to accommodate a possible public comment period.”To the extent there is any anxiety around the potential to advertise on libraries, the potential to advertise on rec centers, the potential to advertise on public vehicles and public buildings — we want to make sure we are addressing those concerns we are listening to the public,” he said Tuesday.Part of that process could be open meetings before City Council or the neighborhoods. Negrin said he hopes to have some advertising in place by the end of the year.