Billboard deal possible, says Squamish band

The hereditary chief of the Squamish Nation says the band could be convinced to abandon plans to erect billboards at the south end of Vancouver's Burrard Bridge for a price.

The band has announced plans to erect six billboards on its land at the south end of the bridge and there are no legal obstacles to the plan.

However, Chief Bill Williams said the band is ready to consider alternatives, as long as they generate the same revenue as the billboards.

Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie has told council he has begun discussions with the chief about a possible deal so views from the bridge would not be blocked by advertising.

"It's not unheard of that we go to extra lengths to protect our views, whether it be building height restrictions through our view corridors or street-end views," Louie told city council Monday night.

He said one solution could be to offer the band other locations for its billboards.

Williams said he's willing to "look at all options that are available that would generate the same cash flow available from the signs."

Williams said it was never the band's intention to have the city pay them not to erect the billboards at the end of the bridge. He said the Squamish Nation is doing whatever it can to raise funds for its community.

It's estimated that athree-metre by nine-metre billboard in a high traffic area could generate as much as $50,000 a year.