A resolution from Ward 1 Couns. Sonny Spina and Sandra Hollingsworth calling on Sault Ste. Marie to allow advertising along the Hub Trail is getting little support from city staff.
A staff report to be presented at Monday's city council meeting strongly opposes the idea, with possible exceptions made for ads on benches that might bring just $2,000 more per bench into tax coffers.
Brent Lamming, recently appointed as deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services, will point to a recent survey of 376 respondents that found 84 per cent didn't want to see advertising on public property or along the Hub Trail.
Couns. Spina and Hollingsworth asked earlier this year that the city look at the possibility of selling ads along the John Rowswell Hub Trail, with any revenue generated to be spent on hub trail maintenance and "development of new such trails or walkways in order to reduce any future municipal tax increases."
"The city must look at every opportunity to generate new revenues that can offset future municipal tax increases," the councillors said.
They asked that city staff look into the "ability for these structures, objects and areas to be used as advertising revenue generating tools and that staff report on any restrictions to the implementation of this policy, such as restricting the creation of any structure that may obstruct views and restricting any advertisements on the waterfront."
"If reconsideration of this practice were to be undertaken, it should be brought to the parks and recreation advisory committee for further comment," Lamming says in a report prepared for Monday's city council meeting.
"Parks are a tangible reflection of the quality of life in a community and provide places for families and social groups to gather and play," Lamming says.
"They are designed for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of their ability to pay for access. Nature-based recreation fosters a better understanding and appreciation for all aspects of nature.
"Introduction of advertising signage into these spaces may affect the natural feel of space and intended experience of the user."
The only possible exception Lamming suggests would be park bench advertising.
"Most benches in parks do not have backs to advertise on, thus eliminating this as a current option," he points out.
"A three-year commitment would be required which would include the cost of the bench and an annual fee. The up-front cost is approximately $2,000 for purchase and installation plus an annual fee of $2,000. The total received per bench would be $8,000 over three years which would offset $6,000 in operational costs."
If council decides to take advantage of $2,000 expected from each bench ad, Lamming is suggesting the ads be allowed in three areas:
- Fort Creek corridor to Third Line
- Hospital corridor
- Northern Avenue to Finn Hill corridor
"Advertising is not being recommended in any of the seventy-eight parks or along the waterfront," Lamming says.
Monday's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.