City Ordinances Stepping On First Amendment

Letter From The Editor

"Building wraps... why aren't there any in certain areas? Especially in Atlanta?"

Many advertising and marketing individuals, that I have met, have always asked me this when they learn that I deal with large format printing. It's a very good question, given that the population of Atlanta is little over a million and many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Atlanta area. So why isn't there any advertisements like building wraps? Why isn't this option or idea being use?

Simple - city ordinances. Because of certain ordinances or zoning, many unique and creative advertisements are shut down. Though in certain cities, they are welcomed with open arms. Not in Atlanta.

Many printers believe ordinances like these aren't fair. One of them being KH Outdoor. This billboard company is responsible for the MetroPCS three sided building wrap on the historic and vacant Medical Arts Building on Peachtree Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard. However, what happens when the city cites it as illegal.

You appeal it. According to an appeal filed with the city, KH Outdoor claims Atlanta's planning department failed to follow standard procedure when they issued two citations to the KH Outdoor. (Interesting...) They also state that the city has turned a blind eye to other building owners, such as Turner Studios and the Georgia Dome. (If you ever drive by them, see if you can spot why they stated these two. Being in the print industry, you notice everything.) And the third claim, it is unconstitutional under state and federal law. (I may need an attorney to way in, is it?) I believe so.

The first amendment is freedom of speech. I also understand that it can be illegal if it causes a riot. However, I have not seen downtown Atlanta in a riot, nor have I seen car accidents because of this building wrap. You would also think that Atlanta would like this exposure. I know many times when I'm looking for the latest building wrap, which is usually in Europe, I think, "Man, I'd love to see that."

Another point to make is the building is vacant. I understand if the building was occupied. But it's not. It's just sitting there. Doesn't it make Atlanta look worse with vacant and boarded up buildings? Last fall, we did some prints for the Dirty Truth. The Dirty Truth basically pointed out that there are many boarded up buildings and houses around Atlanta, even children notice them. Why is this important? Because when you read some of the summaries of the pictures the children taken, you see what one abandoned building at lead to many problems. If this building is occupied with KH Outdoor, who are managing the banner, less drug addicted people can hide in there. Thus making the streets around there safer.

Do you think the MetroPCS banner is an eye sore?

*Disclaimer: These are personal convictions and not that of company, Speedpro Imaging of Greater Atlanta.