Legislation to loosen the city’s 20 year moratorium on digital billboards failed to get out of committee for the lack of support.  Earlier this month Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott pulled a separate bill which would have permitted billboards along railroad land in Baltimore.

A contentious clause in bill 20-0063 would have required the city’s incumbent billboard operator Clear Channel Outdoor to take down 3 billboards for every face it converted to digital while relaxing the requirement for small operators who own fewer than 7 billboards.

Insider’s take:  Having a 3:1 takedown ratio for Clear Channel Outdoor but not for small operators was a lawsuit waiting to happen.  Too bad Baltimore fails to see the value of digital billboards.  They create revenue to support local services.  They can generate economic development and support the arts.  They can anchor community celebrations.  Atlanta gets is as does New York City and West Hollywood and Nashville.   Isn’t Baltimore a better place for the existence of the Baltimore Art Billboard?

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