Monday, March 21st, 2011

One politician is joining some community members in disapproval over one new addition to The Corner.  Along with the opening of the gigantic second-floor Duane Reade in the new building at 72nd and Broadway came a huge bright sign.  The video billboard, installed last week, displays advertisements such as beer sold in “growler” form and remains on day and night.  As you might imagine, as soon as it went up, Upper West Siders disapproved.  New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal sprang into action, announcing her opposition to the sign and kicking off an investigation into whether it violates city permits.  “The Upper West Side is not Times Square – it’s a family-oriented neighborhood that doesn’t need a flashy video billboard from yet another chain drugstore,” Rosenthal declared.  Adding to the intrusiveness of the sign is a question of safety, as Rosenthal also noted that the bright screen sits directly on the “Boulevard of Death,” the 72nd/Broadway/Amsterdam intersection that is in the midst of changes after a high number of pedestrian and auto accidents.  After she voiced her opposition, she kicked off a Department of Buildings investigation into violations, which is currently underway.  If Rosenthal succeeds in toning down the billboard, she will add it to her list of obnoxious-sign-removal successes… last year, she helped dim the sign on the Time Warner store at 96th and Broadway, ensuring the flashing light sequence stops during night hours.

Filed under: News, Openings/Closings, Politics, Shopping, Upper West Side, Upper West Side Blog 3 Comments »
Tags: 200 West, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, Billboard, Boulevard of Death, Department of Buildings, Duane Reade, Intersection, Linda B. Rosenthal, Linda Rosenthal, New York State Assembly, News, Opening, Openings/Closings, Pharmacy, Politics, Safety, Shopping, Sign, State Assembly, The Corner, Video Billboard