LIGHTS OUT FOR 86TH ST. DUANE READE
By Dan Rivoli
Posted by Our Town on June 17, 2009 · View Comments
At the request of Council Member Dan Garodnick, the Department of Buildings issued a violation to the Duane Reade at 125 E. 86th St. for its illuminated marquee.
The marquee is a leftover from the days the building was home to a movie theater. The illuminated sign was considered illegal but was not caught because it fell under a self-certification policy.
Garodnick wanted the sign removed because illuminated signage creates an unfair competitive advantage for other businesses and clutters the streetscape, he argued. In May, Garodnick and fellow East Side Council Member Jessica Lappin allocated $215,000 to the East 86th Street Merchants & Residents Association for “beautification” of the East 86th Street corridor.
“The 86th Street corridor is a valuable part of the East Side, but it is in need of a facelift,” Garodnick said in a statement. “Implementing more demure signage that meets the city’s requirements will improve the appearance of this area and make it even more attractive for shoppers.”
