More digital billboards could be coming to Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — You could soon see more bright lights glowing from digital billboards around Indianapolis.
There are four digital billboards in the city, but a proposal to add 65 more would require a change to an Indianapolis ordinance.
Almost two years ago, a commission was tasked with providing input on a new Indianapolis ordinance for digital billboards, but a member of that commission told News 8 he feels as though the commission is being ignored by the city.
The first draft of the ordinance written by the commission, which would have reduced the number of billboards in the city, was mostly rejected by the Indianapolis City-County Council, according to commission member Ed Locke.
One of the first concerns of the commission has been the protection of data, Locke said.
“Yes, there is a privacy issue, and we have been totally rebuffed on putting any kind of a restriction on the collection of data,” said Locke.
The message displayed in the digital billboards is tailored to passing drivers by collecting data from their cars and cellphones, according to Locke.
“Interrogate people’s phones, interrogating their cars, following them with advertising: The industry is very open about it. They call it out of home advertising and marketing and they promote that has something they can do with these signs we are very concerned about that,” Locke said.
The version of the ordinance that was sent back to the commission would allow 65 new digital billboards placed around the city.
“We did see changes made to favor the industry,” Locke said.
Billboard sign owners would have to remove two traditional billboards for every new digital sign, which Locke says is unacceptable.
“Let’s look to reduce billboards in the city overall. Other cities have done it; I think Indianapolis can do it, too. Let’s be a leader” said Locke.
Two of the four digital billboards in Marion County are on state fairgrounds property, as a loophole in the law allows the billboards on state-owned property.
The commission charged with writing the ordinance is meeting Thursday night to hammer out the details. When the draft is complete, it will be sent to the Indianapolis City-County Council.