Elk-topped Billboard Approved, Mayor Davis Says it Will Give Elk Grove 'Character'

August 28, 2014 | Aside from a discussion on whether or not it should be topped by a plastic elk, the Elk Grove City Council unanim...


August 28, 2014 |

Aside from a discussion on whether or not it should be topped by a plastic elk, the Elk Grove City Council unanimously gave the green light to construction of a massive 76-foot high billboard at their regular meeting last night.

The billboard, which will be located south of the Laguna Boulevard-Bond Road exit on the east side of Highway 99, is being erected by Monument Partners of Fairfield, Calf. Bruce Bishop, owner of Monument Partners, appeared before the council claiming the billboard will be an economic shot-in-the arm for the city and mom and pop businesses.

"We wanted all the retailers near the freeway to gain the advantage of being exposed to the freeway as this would create additional sales, which in turn create additional jobs, and make for a more successful retail environment," Bishop said.

While the council finally decided in favor of topping the billboard with a plastic elk, the council also offered a variety of justifications for allowing erection of the precedent-setting structure. 

Council Member Pat Hume also said if the billboards attract travelers to stop in Elk Grove, it will help local retailers, which in turn helps generate more sales taxes. 

"Anybody that is driving past Elk Grove, that comes off and spends a dollar in Elk Grove that won't have otherwise because of this sign, that is free money," Hume said.  

Hume also said freeways are not visually pleasant places to start with, and the addition of this billboard will not create blight.

"Freeways to me are fairly ugly to begin with," he said. "I think these signs, if done correctly, are a benefit."  

While deliberating the plastic elk statue, it was suggested that future billboards, such as a stagecoach-topped Bishop has suggested he will propose, be considered as part of the city's public art collection.

"I think with the artwork on top, it makes it unique," Council Member Steve Detrick said. 

Detrick went on to say that perhaps the city's art commission be consulted for artwork on future billboards and that Bishop would be open to their input.

"He's always looking for creative new ideas," Detrick said. "At least with the artwork, it gives it some unique character."

Mayor Gary Davis said the billboard would be a quirky addition to the city. Davis, who has spearheaded efforts to transform the city into a major tourist destination, said the plastic elk would be a positive addition to the city. 

"I actually think there is quirkiness that comes with it, that give us character," Davis said. "We can put the elk back in Elk Grove now."







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13 comments

Anonymous said...

Plllllluuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh.

Sarah Johnson said...

Public art??? You have got to be kidding!! There really is NO HOPE. And thinking about running it by the Art Commission is an afterthought for maybe "next time". You can't even follow your own rules.

Anonymous said...

As a EG business owner and long time EG resident, I like the new freeway signage in the heart of our commercial corridor. Good job city of elk grove for standing up for the small and large businesses.

Anonymous said...

How right you are Sarah. There is NO HOPE. I thought businesses wanted the signs to advertise for their business...not some pretty artsy stuff on top. We'll already have people looking for the elk and a stagecoach without adding some poppy fields on top. Mayor Davis, if you want a quirky addition to the city, how about a donkey? That would fit us to a tee....and a positive for sure.

Connie said...

The reason the residents were given for the change in the sign ordinance was to help businesses advertise that do not have direct freeway access.

Let's see who advertises on this new sign because the Elk Grove City Council certainly did not reinforce that reason when approving this monument sign last night.

Ugly Even Uglier said...

Yeah Pat Hume, freeways are ugly and you made Elk Grove even uglier. What type of crappy rationalization is that?

And you are supposed to be the smart one!

KoolAid anyone?

Anonymous said...

Podunk hick city.

Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski said...

Let's face it, any chance Elk Grove had to be a different sort of edge city was lost long ago. The people who conscientiously did their job in interest of the greater good, i.e, they were looking out for residents interests as true public servants and not developers, were either run out of town or fired. It's that simple. We all know who these individuals were.

The Mayor and council members may have their petty differences on the dais, but when it really matters, they march in lockstep with what their contributors want. This vote was evidence of that. These Bozos remind me of the mindless followers of National Socialist German Workers' Party.

So as we move forward, we can see Elk Grove will become either,
a.) South, South Sacramento, or
b.) Stockton North

We had such potential, but it has been squandered by the parochial interests of Cooper, Davis, Detrick, Hume and their benefactors. Nice job fellas - you have found truly found The Heart of Darkness.


Anonymous said...

Character?

.


Quirkiness?

How about a characterless sprawling out of control blob?

My hunch is that Elk Grove will become South Sacramento, south in the form of a sprawling podunk town mixed with the Hood.

What happened to our sister city relationship with the Kingdom of Zamunda?

The soccer stadium if built and paid for by the taxpayers could bankrupt the city.

VOTE NO on any bonds for this hick town. They should be able to fix potholes out of current funding mechanisms.

Anonymous said...

Are they serious?

While deliberating the plastic elk statue, it was suggested that future billboards, such as a stagecoach-topped Bishop has suggested he will propose, be considered as part of the city's public art collection.

"I think with the artwork on top, it makes it unique," Council Member Steve Detrick said.

Laguna Pete said...

A big pile of cow dung atop the sign may be more representative of where our city is going.

Who are these guys on the council? Are they really that stupid and shortsighted?

Will they ever carry out a project that has been properly vetted? They've done nothing constructive since they've been in office.

Where are the jobs promised?

Anonymous said...

At this meeting I heard one business person speak. There was no mention of who would fill all those spaces or even how much interest was expressed by our local businesses. Would it be something that most could afford....many are having a tough time as it is. Won't be too attractive with empty spaces.

Anonymous said...

The City Council pulled the biggest bait and switch move at the last CC meeting. 1. The location of the freeway sign is one exit south of Gil Moore's project - McDonalds and ARCO 2. It does not look like the CC is supporting their CASH COW Gil but the other freeway businesses. 3. The Chick Filet should never have been approved because it has the worst ingress/egress in town. So by approving the sign Gil Moore "CASH COW" got what he wanted and the CC did not have to take the heat from the voters of Elk Grove. Good Move CC.

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