A group of Councilmembers is proposing a $100,000 fine for advertising barges on the East River. “Nobody wants to be walking along New York Harbor or the Rockaways only to be confronted by a 1,200 square foot TV screen running commercials on loop. These barges are more than just a dangerous eyesore. We need NYPD to step up their enforcement of these boats and we need to increase the fines so it’s no longer economical for Ballyhoo to keep flouting the law.” Mark Levine states.
A bill introduced by Councilmembers Justin Brannan and Mark Levine would increase the fine from $25,000 to $100,000 on advertising barge businesses for violating city zoning rules. Pricing of a 30-second spot in a two-minute loop on the boats is $55,000 according to various news outlets. However, New York City’s laws prohibit “the display of an advertising sign on any vessel in a waterway adjacent to a residential, commercial, or manufacturing district and within view of an arterial highway.”
Councilman Stephen Levin: ” I applaud Council Members Levine and Brannan for introducing legislation to address the lack of accountability of the waterway ad barges, and I am proud to join on as a co-sponsor. A majority of my district runs along the waterfront and I hear firsthand from constituents about the negative impact these floating TV billboards have on the surrounding community. The law is clear: these barges are in direct violation of NYC’s code, but they continue to flout regulation, because their profits are so high. We need to increase fines to hold them accountable and bring needed relief to New Yorkers.”
