Photo by Madoline Markham.
A large digital billboard was constructed this past week at the BP station at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Green Springs Highway.
David DuBose, president of New Point Digital, released a statement Tuesday afternoon that offers to work with the city and county to resolve conflict regarding a new digital billboard at the BP station near the intersection of Greensprings Highway and Lakeshore Drive.
“It’s really a shame to see this happen when we did everything by the book to build our new business,” DuBose said. “But, I certainly don’t want to fight this public opposition. I’m more than happy to have Jefferson County and the City of Homewood help us relocate our billboard to a location with comparable traffic and exposure. With their continued help and adequate remuneration to offset these unexpected costs, I’m sure we can resolve this quickly – I think that’s what’s best for the county, the city and the public.”
Homewood residents have been speaking out against the sign since its construction began last week. The Homewood City Council passed a resolution opposing it Friday, and Citizens Against New Point Outdoor's Electronic Billboard organized protests at the gas station on Saturday and Sunday and has been encouraging residents to contact DuBose and politicians to voice their opposition to the billboard.
Earlier today Alabama Rep. David Faulkner said he was “working at state level with Senator Jabo Waggoner to try and prevent a state permit from being issued for this sign, as well as taking other action that may help us in this fight.“
According to public records, the land where the billboard sits was legally zoned for billboard usage by Jefferson County, and Dennis Hill of Appraisal Review & Permits at the Alabama Department of Transportation said that no DOT permit was required for this location. Based on that information New Point invested more than a half million dollars on the construction of the sign.
Along with his statement, DuBose released documentation showing that New Point Digital has followed all rules and regulations regarding the billboard construction and that construction was approved by Michael R. Morrison, planner for the Jefferson County Commission Office of Land Planning & Development Services.
According to the release, Homewood City Engineer’s office also reviewed the project and hired Homewood-based Weygand Surveyors to come and check the location, and owner Ray Weygand verified that the billboard was 100 percent in compliance.
DuBose’s statements also described the high volume of contact he and his family have received over the past few days. Many he said were “harassments” and “threatening.”
“I’m not in business to try to ruin people’s lives or bring their property values down,” he said. “I’m simply trying to develop a legitimate, law-abiding, tax paying company that will contribute to the community by providing up to 10 percent of our ad views at no cost to non-profits and community service events.”
DuBose also said New Point is donating a portion of advertising sales to support Homewood City Schools.
“Let’s all calm down and work this out so we can all get on with our lives and our businesses,” he said. “With the cooperation and support of the county and City of Homewood, we’re ready to move to a good location where no residences would be affected and end this situation.”
In response to DuBose’s statements, Scott Dean of Citizens Against New Point Outdoor's Electronic Billboard said the group is thrilled at DuBose’s statements and grateful to Homewood residents who “rallied together and made this happen this for our community.”
“We have urged all of our supporters to email Mr. DuBose or post on the New Point Outdoor Facebook page when it returns their thanks to them for agreeing to move the billboard,” Dean said. “We also realize the fight is not over until the sign is down. Details of the agreement are not yet public, and we understand there will be some political wrangling over costs of moving such a massive structure. We hope this will not be a stumbling block and everyone involved will work together to make it happen quickly."
