New York Shitty Day Starter: From Greenpoint’s Historic District

My brother in law is currently paying our fair city a visit. Wishing to show him one of the nicer parts of Greenpoint I took him to Milton Street. We gazed and pointed. We ooohed and we ahhhed. Then we saw this.

A piece of viral advertising— in a “Historic District”, no less. Is it not the point of preservation to prevent this kind of crap blighting one’s enjoyment of what few blocks of lovely row houses, brownstones and churches my neighborhood has to offer? If it isn’t, it should be.

I never really thought much about Courteney Cox (because there is not much to consider). Until now. Every time I see one of these signs (and I am, increasingly— they are proliferating) her mug puts me in a blind rage. I hope the brain trust behind this campaign will take this into consideration before erecting any more of these signs. It is probably not the reaction they are looking for.

Miss Heather

UPDATE, September 22, 2009: My good friend at Musings on ‘point has a few things to say about the Cougar Town viral advertising experience. Aside from being an eyesore, they would also appear to be illegal. MOP writes:

This is an “advertising sign” as defined by ZR 12-10 and such signs can only be located in commercial zoning districts C6-5, C6-7, C7 and C8. Not only was this picture taken in a residential district, but you’d be hard pressed to find any of the aforementioned zoning districts anywhere in Greenpoint or Willliamsburg.

The offending signs are everywhere and starting to grate; I demand satisfaction.

I want them removed. What’s more, I want to know how much compensation the homeowners who allowed these signs to be posted on their property received. Did they pay taxes on this revenue? Did the agency behind this campaign know that erecting said signs in a residential neighborhood is illegal? Do they care? I, too, demand satisfaction!