Story posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Why Rosemont Is Taking Closer Look At Billboards
Substantial interest to erect new billboards throughout Rosemont, including on property where future redevelopment may occur, has prompted village officials to take a wait and see attitude.
Trustees recently approved a one-year moratorium on any new billboard construction in order to allow a thorough review of the issue. At the center of the matter is whether to permit billboards along local tollways where future redevelopment looks likely. According to Mayor Brad Stephens, he does not want the situation to arise where new construction is planned on property where a billboard had been recently approved. Such a situation could become expenses for the village and local taxpayers who might have to buy out the owner of the billboard to proceed with redevelopment.
"We've had a lot of interest from people trying to get land leases of potential sites," said Stephens. "Some of those sites are in the middle of redevelopment areas. We want to take a look at this throughout the village." The mayor added that one individual recently approached the village after identifying every possible billboard site.
Rosemont is unique when it comes to billboards primarily because of its close proximity to O'Hare Airport. Billboard advertisers are drawn to the heavy vehicular traffic, which is why a large number of outdoor signs are in place along tollways near O'Hare.
According to village records, Rosemont owns approximately 10 separate billboards that feature 14 sign faces. Last year, those billboards generated $1.8 million for village coffers. So far this year, the village has reaped $1.2 million from those outdoor signs.
"By placing a one-year moratorium, we will give ourselves time to see if any of these sites makes sense," said Mayor Stephens.
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