Billboard Debate in Binghamton

7/16/2012 (Updated 11:21:05 PM)

Will they add to highway clutter, and block Binghamton's roadside scenery?

Or, will they show visitors that the Southern Tier is alive with commerce?
   
That's part of the debate over a billboard company's request to add two more double-faced billboards to the intersection of I-81 and Route 17.

A lawyer for the company feels the additional billboards will be an improvement.

"It's good advertising for the city. If you come through you see a growing metropolis, good advertising for the local businesses, which encourages people to come off the highway and come into town," says attorney Hugh Leonard.

The matter was discussed Monday evening at a work session of the Binghamton City Council.

Before voting, council wants to determine if the billboards would be erected on land that's in the 500 year flood plane.

If it is, chances of approval would increase, since the land could not be used for industrial development.


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