On September 17th Catalyst gave a mini-presentation at the Board of Supervisors monthly meeting and then again on October 1st provided a full presentation. You can view it here and skip to the presentation.
I contacted the board, as a resident, to ask some questions but did not hear back. So, from what I can gather, it seems that Catalyst threatened a lawsuit over the way billboards are treated in the township. The Board is looking to come to some sort of agreement instead of fighting it. Phoenixville Borough was in the same predicament, fought Catalyst and won.
It also appears that the township (taxpayers) gets nothing financially out of the deal. Clear Channel recently acquired control of the majority of the assets owned by Catalyst Outdoor Advertising. According to the Clear Channel website, their advertising rates for digital billboard advertising in the Philadelphia market for a 4 week run, can range from $104,040 to $212,420. What does the township get? The ability to have occasional free advertising. We, MainLine Neighbors, provide free advertising to all of our local townships, districts, community organizations and local charities and we have for years- so that doesn’t really impress me. Just sayin’!
The project plan includes the demolition of an original R. Brognard Okie house to build the digital billboard structure. The house is not an official historical house, but it dates back to the 1900s and was built in the Colonial Revival architectural style. It was built to replicate a toll-house, which was originally located on the site. The building’s design was by American architect R. Brognard Okie. The Clockworks building is a prized building by many and meaningful in the architectural development of the township.
We need to think hard about destroying our little bits of history and the architectural treasures that dot our landscape.
We also need to think about the impact of outdoor advertising on our public space. Web, TV, magazine, radio, and digital publication viewing are a choice. You can opt-out, turn off, not watch. You can’t opt-out of outdoor advertising.
You also can’t control what ads are shown. Outdoor advertising forces private values onto ‘public’ spaces with a one-way flow of information. The digital billboard will be on private property yet broadcast into shared spaces, raising such questions as:
Who owns the road and the broadcast space around it? Whose interests should prevail in controlling its use and appearance?
In my humble opinion, the Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors needs a plan for outdoor advertising. The plan should consider appropriate zones, appropriate sizes, digital vs. static – so it will not detract from the beauty and history of our towns. We don’t want to be stuck in the past, but we also don’t want to destroy it. The plan should give consideration and not neglect the cultural and aesthetic consequences of a commercial visual spectacle in our public space. It’s a slippery slope! I love visiting Disney World, I just don’t want to live there.
If you are concerned about this billboard you can sign a petition here.
Also please share this post below so people in our community are aware of what may happen.
You can also make your voice heard by emailing the board or by going to the next board meeting on 10/22/ at 7:00 PM.
Regina
Co-Founder MainLine Neighbors
Please, please do not allow the use of an unsightly digital billboard to replace a treasured historic building. In addition, I would imagine the billboard because it would be digital and would take drivers attention off the road for a longer period of time could increase traffic accidents.
Please, please do not allow the use of an unsightly digital billboard to replace a treasured historic building. In addition, I would imagine the billboard because it would be digital and would take drivers attention off the road for a longer period of time could increase traffic accidents.
View lessThanks for your comment! I agree with you but Catalyst has some “statistics” in their presentation that try to debunk the increase in accidents due to digital billboards. If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
Thanks for your comment! I agree with you but Catalyst has some “statistics” in their presentation that try to debunk the increase in accidents due to digital billboards. If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
View lessThis link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
This link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
View lessI totally agree with your position. This project is unnecessary and poses a safety risk to all travelers whether they be in cars or on foot.
I totally agree with your position. This project is unnecessary and poses a safety risk to all travelers whether they be in cars or on foot.
View lessThanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
Thanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
View lessThis link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
This link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
View lessAbsolutely no billboard on that busy intersection! Don’t we have enough distractions when walking or driving? We certainly don’t need a huge billboard on that corner distracting drivers even more. Plus the clock building is a treasure and should not be taken down
Absolutely no billboard on that busy intersection! Don’t we have enough distractions when walking or driving? We certainly don’t need a huge billboard on that corner distracting drivers even more. Plus the clock building is a treasure and should not be taken down
View lessThanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
Thanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
View lessPlease do not allow this billboard in our. Immunity!
Please do not allow this billboard in our. Immunity!
View lessThanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin please email the board.
Thanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin please email the board.
View lessHi Regina –
Your “Hi Neighbor” note in this week’s issue is very interesting. You’ve made some great points.
One of my first thoughts was very basic – I see a digital sign like that as a major distraction at what is typically a very busy junction. From a safety standpoint I think it’s bad. It is a roadway after all – first and foremost! Add in all the aesthetic reasons you mention along with
View moreHi Regina –
Your “Hi Neighbor” note in this week’s issue is very interesting. You’ve made some great points.
One of my first thoughts was very basic – I see a digital sign like that as a major distraction at what is typically a very busy junction. From a safety standpoint I think it’s bad. It is a roadway after all – first and foremost! Add in all the aesthetic reasons you mention along with the pride and protection we should be giving the “history” of the area and the fact this (huge) digital device can’t be turned off and you’ve presented a mountain of reasons for opposition.
Is the Clockworks business closing up shop in the near future or are they being possibly “forced” out?
If the billboard goes through, I’m guessing the owner of that land will be the one making the money by leasing the space to Catalyst, and thus (hopefully) paying some taxes on the property and the income he/she would be receiving from the “tenant” to the township.
I don’t live in Tredyffrin Township but I do drive through that intersection probably half a dozen times a month. Part of the “amour” of the Main Line are the historic landmarks and how we’re forced to live around history – like the one lane each way underpass at that intersection – and fight to keep history…….like the Olde Covered Wagon Inn in Strafford. I like how you state, “We don’t want to be stuck in the past, but we also don’t want to destroy it.”
I guess it comes down to “who really benefits”? In this case, it sounds like Catalyst. At those prices I can’t imaging many local, small businesses would be able to afford the rates to advertise.
Obviously, you’ve got me thinking…………and I could go on and on – sorry for this lengthy note! Thank you for bringing up the subject and helping to inform the public of township matters.
Enjoy your day-
View lessKathleen
Kathleen- Thanks for your thoughtful comments!
Kathleen- Thanks for your thoughtful comments!
View lessI am not in favor of this concept whatsoever.
I am not in favor of this concept whatsoever.
View lessThanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
Thanks for your comment! If you live in Tredyffrin you can email the board.
View lessThat’s a busy intersection with many drivers making turns as lights change. From a safety standpoint, a billboard there would be a bad distraction in an already complex pattern. Also, billboard policy would presumably work to maintain the character of the village; if there is no clear conception or billboard policy already operant, there should be. Paoli is getting a new station, and whatever
View moreThat’s a busy intersection with many drivers making turns as lights change. From a safety standpoint, a billboard there would be a bad distraction in an already complex pattern. Also, billboard policy would presumably work to maintain the character of the village; if there is no clear conception or billboard policy already operant, there should be. Paoli is getting a new station, and whatever can be done at this opportunity to further enhance the character of Rte. 30 as Paoli’s main thoroughfare would be a big and timely step forward.
View lessThis link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
This link takes you to the township supervisors where you can choose to send to YOUR supervisor or to ALL supervisors.
http://www.tredyffrin.org/Home/Components/Form/Form/22c4b68e8e5e48e98c1bf8b1f141bb5f/163
View less