The signs on the exterior of Veterans Memorial Arena advertising the Hunt, Green & James law firm violate the city’s charter and at least two of the signs violate state laws, according to an opinion from the city’s Office of General Counsel released Wednesday.
The city signed a facilities management contract with SMG in April 2013 to run several city-owned sports and entertainment facilities, including the arena.
The agreement allows SMG to sell sponsorships, advertising, premium seating and naming rights at the facilities.
In September, SMG signed a $300,000 sponsorship agreement with the law firm to temporarily identify certain suites inside the arena as “Hunt, Green & James” suites through Sept. 30, 2017.
The agreement was amended about three weeks later to allow the law firm to display its advertisement in windows on all four sides of the arena.
The signs show a picture of the firm’s three principal attorneys.
According to the opinion, city law authorizes exterior signs to be installed on the building as long as the signs advertise products, activities or services that are sold, produced, manufactured, provided or furnished within the facility or that sponsor a particular project, activity or event at the arena.
Since the law firm does not provide services within the building, the signs “do not qualify as Sports and Entertainment Complex on-site signs under current local law,” according to the opinion.
For the signs on the north side of the building toward the expressway, the opinion said since the arena is within 660 feet of a federal-aid primary highway, state law does not allow commercial signage on the building unless the display is “directly related” to the arena’s activities, products and services.
The opinion also states City Council is authorized to amend the charter or ordinance code to change the signage regulations that apply within the Sports Complex, as long as the provisions of state law also are met.
After questions were raised about the legality of the signs, council member Bill Bishop introduced legislation Jan. 27 to amend the approval process for future signage at the arena.
The bill is intended to prohibit installation of signs on the exterior of public venues that advertise sponsors who have secured naming rights to portions of the interior of the venues.
Council member Richard Clark offered an amendment to the legislation that would allow the signs on the east and south sides of the building to remain, while the signs on the north and west sides of the arena facing the expressway would be removed.
A public hearing on the matter is scheduled Tuesday before council.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.
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