Business Review's Rise and Fall: Sharon McRill and Ann Arbor's sign ordinance
One offered advice to the nation, via Forbes; the other has local businesses worried. Here are the Ann Arbor Business Review picks for last week's winner and loser in the news:
Rise: Sharon McRill
The owner of the Betty Brigade in Ann Arbor said, "Getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to me.” That comment was published in the latest issue of Forbes magazine, as McRill joined others in offering coping strategies to people facing lay-offs. In McRill’s case, stepping out of the corporate workplace for months helped her recognize new talents - and find a way to become an entrepreneur by starting her concierge service.
Fall: Ann Arbor’s sign ordinance
While city officials grapple with rewriting the ordinance - and in the meantime step up enforcement of the existing law - some downtown businesses say they’re losing money. Many businesses and other entities, not just downtown, use portable signs to increase their visibility. But, according to the still-unchanged law, the signs (along with banners and streamers) are prohibited. Council has a lot of priorities right now, but this issue needs to rise closer to the top.
Comments
John Alan
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 11:43 a.m.
It is a very funny situation with the committee that decided on the recommendations for new sign ordinance... The committee consisted of 2 sign company rep. and 2 city employee!!! No input from real users of the signs... It was re-written so the sign companies get tons of orders and business on the new up to code signs. For example they reduced the square footage of a building sign from 12 to 9!!! where did 9 come from? Why did they pick a non-standard size!!! I guess it happens once the review committee is not represented by proper representation of all levels that will see the effect..... but then again it is city of AA and they can do whatever they want to do!!! There seems to be no accountability there for these changes and the consequence of the proposed changes..... go figure this.... Also the good part is BAN on Banners!!!... who cares what businesses need to stay in business and promote their business.... as long as we have a new ordinance, we will be good!!!