Further good news — a large video game billboard in the East Village, which had replaced a long-standing community mural, at Avenue A and East 12th Street, has now been removed. GVSHP and the East Village Community Coalition had long called upon the city to take action against the billboard which violated zoning regulations and, which some argued, violated an agreement to maintain the community mural for 10 years. Following complaints about the billboard from GVSHP and many others, and a great deal of attention from blog EV Grieve, the City inspected the site, issued several violations, and scheduled hearings on the violations. The sign was finally removed in late March.
GVSHP regularly pursues enforcement of rules regarding the placement of billboards or other violations of buildings, zoning, or landmarks regulations. All too often these regulations are laxly enforced or not enforced at all, and often require dogged pursuit of city agencies to get action.
If you see what you believe is an illegal billboard or other buildings, zoning, or landmarks violation, call 311, and contact GVSHP with the address, information about the violation, and ideally a picture. If we confirm that it is to our understanding in violation of these rules, we will help pursue getting the city to inspect the site and enforce the law. For more information, CLICK HERE.
