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Reilly’s riverfront sign ordinance introduced

10-Oct-14 – An ordinance to protect the Chicago River from ugly signs was introduced before the city council on Wednesday. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly sponsor the ordinance.

Photo by Steven Dahlman (Left) Seen from steps off Wabash Avenue that lead to the Chicago Riverwalk, workers install a new sign on the south face of Trump International Hotel & Tower on June 14.

The Chicago River Special Sign District would have new rules for signs on high-rise buildings and anywhere else along the main branch of the river and the south branch from Roosevelt Road to Kinzie Street.

Each high-rise building could have one sign as long as it is no bigger than 550 square feet, located just below the roofline, and identifies only the main tenant of the building. The ordinance would affect only new signs, not signs already in place.

“The Chicago River is seeing ongoing investment, thanks to projects like the Riverwalk which will make it the city’s next big tourism draw,” said Reilly. “Reducing visual clutter along the river is important. Given the city’s significant investment, we want to set a higher design aesthetic standard along that corridor.”

Proposed sign rules…

  • No more than one high-rise building sign is allowed on any building and these signs will count towards the maximum total allowable sign area for the building.

  • High-rise building signs will be limited to identification for the principal tenant of the building.

  • High-rise building signs will be limited to a maximum 550 square feet for a building with a height of 500 feet or more.

  • High-rise building signs must be located directly below the highest roofline of the building and may not be internally or externally illuminated.

  • Only “halo-lit” lettering – backlit letters that create a glow of light around the letter by illuminating the wall surface from within – will be allowed.

  • For other signage on a building, no sign can be located more than two stories above grade on the building side facing the Chicago River.

  • All signs must be affixed on building walls, projecting no more than 12 inches from the building’s facade.

Not allowed at all would be banners, neon signs, flashing signs, dynamic imaging displays, roof signs, painted wall signs, and off-premise signs.

The proposed ordinance was referred to the city’s Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.

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