Urban Entertainment Digital Media Program Alert – Thursday, April 24th

City Council Planning and Community Development Committee (PCDC) Hearing
10 AM Thursday, April 24th on “Urban Entertainment District Pilot Program”
Council Briefing Room – City Hall – 100 Military Plaza (Flores between Dolorosa and Commerce)

Conservation Society Members: Please show up in Conservation Society purple!

The San Antonio Conservation Society has legal, environmental and economic concerns about the “Urban Entertainment District Pilot Project” previously titled Digital Media and Arts Pilot Program. This advertising program violates the Unified Development Code and has no proven economic upside. The ‘pilot program’ does not have an end-date nor a provision for the removal of the signs.

We have seen a “pilot” program before with the digital kiosks, which quickly became permanent. The digital kiosks installed over five years ago were touted as wayfinding but are primarily advertising.

The City adopted its Sign Code, Chapter 28 of the UDC two years ago. The law required advertising companies to remove four billboards for every new digital billboard, thus improving the overall urban environment. The “Urban Entertainment District” flouts this law, increasing signage. To be profitable, the program will have to be in high-traffic areas, which are historic and would be ruined by these advertisements.

The program is proposed as a moneymaker yet the experience of Denver, Atlanta and Cincinnati is that revenues were a fraction of what was promised and did not materialize for years.

A public survey showed overwhelming public opposition (71% opposed) to this pilot program.

Members of the public can comment on items on the agenda. Click here to sign up to speak. You may view the agenda here. Questions relating to these rules may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at (210) 207-7253.