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The downtown Detroit landscape is dotted with mostly tall, worn buildings with dull earth tones.
In recent times, the buildings have become hot spots for big advertisements from businesses like Apple, Shinola and the Detroit Pistons.
Frankly, they liven up downtown. Plus, they generate revenue for building owners.
Now, the Detroit Free Press writes that most of these commercial wall signs must come down by Dec. 31 as the city cracks down on building owners who have been violating what was once a seldom-enforced ordinance against such advertising.
There is a prohibition against large ads, billboards and painted wall graphics within a roughly 15-mile area from the Detroit River out to East and West Grand Boulevard in all directions.
How ridiculous is it to crack down on this?
It takes away revenue from building owners who can reportedly make between $4,000 and $10,000 a month. The city should step aside and just make sure it gets a little cut of the action.
This is a big city. The signs give downtown a grander look.
And the city of shouldn't waste time and energy enforcing dumb ordinances that make it harder for business people to generate revenue.
