Sign of the times

zoning out on signs

06/21/2010 10:04 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

3 Comments - Add Your Comment


The residents in the South Loop generally don't like signs. When the South Loop School threatened to put a big one in the air so it could be seen from the Roosevelt Road bridge, the neighbors who preferred a quieter suburban look voted it down with complaints. When someone threatened to put one high above Printers Row a few years ago, worrying the residents in the Transportation Building who had visions of flashing neon and fluorescent flash, the neighbors nixed it. South Loopers have an inherent fear of signage.


Now a new one threatens to loom on a small parking structure at Harrison and Clark and once again, neighbors are petitioning the Department of Buildings to throw this idea straight into sign garbage land. Neighborhood maven Enrique Perez is exhorting neighbors to pass the petitions and to speak out tomorrow morning during a Department of Buildings meeting at 10 AM at City Hall, after which a vote will be taken. If the past serves as an indication of the future when it comes to South Loop signage, I suspect the building in question will remain sign free. To me, the sign size proposed looks sort of paltry and diminutive. But I believe that taxpayers should get (or not get) what they want (or don't want).


3 Comments - Add Your Comment



By No Signs from Loop
Posted: 06/23/2010 12:00 PM

No signs. No high rises. No street vendors. No retail. No liquor licenses. No density. No city. That sign will completely despoil an otherwise gorgeous parking garage and if we allow people to make money in our city it will lead to more of the above. I agree that the taxpayers ought to get what they want. What if the sign says something we don't like? Tyranny of the majority never hurt anybody (except, of course, those in the minority). If we try, we could be Naperville! Tony


By P.N. from S Loop
Posted: 06/23/2010 11:37 AM

The Buildings Committee voted to deny this sign yesterday at the request of Alderman Fioretti and Printers' Row residents who came out to speak and present petitions against it.


By Solo from Motor Row
Posted: 06/22/2010 10:26 AM

Please vote against this. Also, is there a way to get the other signs on S. Michigan Ave down & Cermak down ?