We’ve covered the ongoing billboard dispute between the City of Inglewood, SoFi Development and WOW Media.  As part of the dispute SoFi Development backed an initiative on last week’s ballot to bar the city of Inglewood from allowing advertising on public property.  If passed the initiative would have overturned the city’s 20 year deal with WOW Media for 60 digital billboards.

Ballotpedia reports that the initiative is failing with a 52% no vote although with only 889 votes separating the two sides the election is still too close to call.  WOW Media’s billboards are safe for now.   The election probably won’t be certified until late November.  The legal maneuvering continues.  Courts have upheld the WOW Media agreement but SoFi Development has appealed.  In a related matter, Gloria Gray appears to be headed towards a March runoff election with Inglewood Mayor James Butts who has been a backer of the WOW media deal.

Ronald R. Camhi, a Partner at Michelman & Robinson, LLP tells Billboard Insider this:“If the result holds, it is a meaningful development for WOW and the broader out-of-home industry. The agreement has now withstood both a court challenge and, at least for now, a ballot effort to restrict advertising on public rights-of-way. The broader issue is how to balance the value of long-term municipal advertising rights with the legitimate interests of venue owners that have invested billions in creating the surrounding commercial environment. Both sides have substantial investments at stake, and the dispute over how those competing rights coexist is far from over.”