Fight over wrapping large Philadelphia building with ads

Philadelphia City Council has approved a bill clearing the way to wrap a building with a large advertisement.  

Councilman Frank DiCicco authored the bill that would allow wrapping ads around a building at 6th and Callowhill Streets.  Stephanie Kindt of the group Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight or SCRUB says big advertising facing a major highway such as the Vine Street Expressway is wrong.

“It will allow a 10,000 square foot digital billboard to face Franklintown park,” said Kindt.  “This would violate the Federal Highway Beautification Act.”

PennDOT even sent a note saying if the bill passed, the city could face a reduction in highway funding for violating that law.  Councilman DiCicco says he supported it because it is economic development.

“We need as a city to look to figure out ways to generate revenue. Outdoor advertising done in a great way could be a good tool,” said DiCicco.  “Look at other cities they are making millions of dollars from outdoor advertising.  It’s a new day.”

Mayor Nutter still has to decide whether to approve or veto the bill.