Comments on: Cherry Blossoms? Nope. Sidewalk Ads.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:21:31 +0000

I threw away two more City Vista mats this past weekend but saw also a number of radio station mat ads concentrated around Verizon Center (not great but at least better than all over the neighborhood like City Vista). My question is for the lawyers that read this blog — if a mat ad is placed that gets slick in the rain and causes me to slip on the sidewalk, can I sue the ad agency that put it there and the company that hired them to do the advertising?

By: Cary Silverman

Cary Silverman — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:47:04 +0000

Sorry Joan — I was quoting from #16. I completely agree with your comments.

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:12:03 +0000

Cary #23 — I’m #17 and did not say the quote that you cited. My point is in total agreement with your point. So huh?????

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:11:15 +0000

I also just noticed one of these sidewalk ads for DC United at 6th and H, if I recall correctly (SW corner of the WMATA block). I didn’t mind these ads at first, and still don’t mind ones in front of the Verizon Center for VC events, but I can see how this could easily get out of hand.

By: Cary Silverman

Cary Silverman — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:56:27 +0000

There’s an interesting article on the city’s plans for addressing homelessness in today’s Post, which will affect the PQ area:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/02/AR2008040202287.html

With respect to #17: “If the city can not address the glaring problems of the neighborhood, why should we expect them to handle the minor ones?” I understand this view, but I look at it in the reverse — if the city is not competent enough to promptly address small, blatantly illegal (assuming here there are no permits), actions, how will they ever take on larger issues? In other words, if it takes DDOT a year to paint a crosswalk, how long do you think it will take them to retime a light, fix a dangerous intersection, or fix the NY Avenue corridor?

I believe all laws should be enforced and we should simply expect our agencies to do their jobs.

Another note – the CityVista ads extend all the way to the Metro at the Convention Center.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:47:49 +0000

How is #20 missing the point exactly? #20 praised a contributors’ potential solution to the problem of the use of public space for private gain and anticipated the likely reaction to that solution on this board. The analogy is a bit exaggerated, but instead of bi&%*ing about this, let’s come up with more constructive solutions.

By: gpliving

gpliving — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:00:06 +0000

#20: I think you’re missing the point. Advertisers in PQ have been getting bolder and more blatant in the past months/years. The real issue here is using our public space for the purpose of advertising dollars.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:24:46 +0000

I think Thais’s idea about having CityVista (or other corporate entities) purchase lamps, benches, etc, and receive a plaque in return is one worth consideration. However, I can also see such an occurrence generating much heat from PQ residents objecting to that, as well. It’s similar to environmentalists who object to using oil/coal to generate electricity, but also object to wind power (ugly and hurts birds), hydropower (hurts fish), tidal power (hurts seaweed), etc. The never ending pursuit of perfection will get us nowhere.

By: PQ anon

PQ anon — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:37:28 +0000

Jason…

You WIN! You have the most innovative solution.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:05:06 +0000

Perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone. Have CityVista provide the homeless clothing with advertisements for their property on it. In exchange the homeless will receive shelter in the sales office at night. Win. Win.