Miami—a city known as much for shady local politics as it is for sand, sun and fun—is in the midst of a crucible of controversy surrounding the City’s proposed skyscraper-sized billboards. Miami city commissioners gave developer Mark Siffin the green light to build 22-story electronic-lighted signs downtown, with hopes of creating “the city’s own Times Square.” Zoning was cleared for two signs nearly 500 feet high that will tower over downtown Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard near the Arsht performing arts center. The towering signs will display flashing ads on giant LED screens, no doubt a real concern for the “condo commandos” residing nearby, fearing the signs would generate such intense light at night as to constitute “an offensive glare.”Not surprisingly, the decision came down to money—millions of dollars in new revenue for the nearly bankrupt city—earmarked for a proposed museum park. Miami’s downtown continues to struggle to attract visitors, often squandering its resource of precious Atlantic waterfront property. High crime, ugly, incongruous buildings, heavy traffic, difficult parking and exorbitant prices shoo tourists away into the welcoming arms of what many deem the “true Miami”— the South Beach, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne communities. Whether these signs will compete with New York’s Times Square remains to be seen.
Special thanks to the Miami Herald for its assistance with this story.