Airport Officials Had Sought Permission For A New Revenue Stream

Some called it corporate underwriting, some said it was "branding" and some just called it advertising, but regardless, city planners in Medford, OR, have nixed the idea of placing corporate logos on the control tower at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (KMFR).

The tower at KMFR rises 100 feet above the ground, and is visible from both the airport and a road which fronts the airport grounds. The Medford Mail Tribune reports that airport director Bern Case had sought permission for what he termed as "branding" ... placing a corporate logo on all four sides of the tower ... as a potential 10-year $300,000 revenue stream for the airport.

But the planning commission in Medford apparently shot down the idea without a dissenting vote. One said government buildings should not be re-purposed as advertising mediums, and there was also the question of competition with commercial billboard companies.

But Case reportedly is not giving up. He says he plans to pitch the idea to the city council, which could override the planning commission. He said the display would be "tasteful, we are not talking neon signs or strobes."

FMI: www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=743