Giant video billboards debated in Vancouver

CBC News Online with files from Margaret Gallagher, The Arts Report

VANCOUVER - Giant video billboards - similar to ones in New York, Tokyo and Toronto - may soon become fixtures in downtown Vancouver.

A local developer is working with city officials on a plan to install two six-metre-wide video screens on the roof of his Robson and Granville Street property. They hope to generate profit as well as provide a high-tech canvas for local artists.

"We were working with the developer to secure public amenities packages, so there would be opportunities for arts and cultural images to be displayed on the video screens," said Sue Harvey, a senior social and cultural planner with the city.

The proposal has the screens running ads about 90 per cent of the time, but for two and a half hours each day, they would feature local video art, city-commissioned short films and cultural announcements.

An additional proposal suggests a concert be held on Granville Street once a month, with the possibility of completely closing the area to traffic, Harvey said.

While the building's owners would reap financial benefits from the ads, they would also be responsible for the cultural programming, which is estimated at $135,000 per year.

However, not everyone on city council is on board with the plan. Anne Roberts and two other city councillors voted against the proposal, which nevertheless passed its first reading.

"We're talking about something in a public space," Roberts said. "I don't think we need anymore ads."

Promoting local arts and culture "makes it more palatable. But for me it doesn't make up for this other kind of intrusion. The commercial element of our lives is taking over," she said.

The proposal is set for two more readings by city council. If approved, Vancouver residents could be strolling under the giant video screens by summer.

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