We arrived home from our overseas trip a few weeks ago to a lot of local discussion on an interesting proposal by our regional airport’s director. Bern Case has been in negotiations with a corporate sponsor who would pay up to one-third of a million dollars over a 10-year period to be able to put its “brand” on the four sides of our airport’s 100-foot-tall control tower. Although the details had yet to be worked out (such as what, if any, type of lighting might be used), Case indicated the “advertising” would most likely be limited to a tasteful logo of about 25 square feet on each side of the county-owned facility. He sought an exception to a sign ordinance from the Medford City Planning Commission.

It’s been interesting to hear the pros and cons offered up in the local media and in letters to the editor. The airport director says the income generated could help lower airport fees to users and fliers, perhaps helping to draw in additional airlines to make additional flights. He says that the FAA’s chief concern would be that any lighting not interfere with visibility for the air traffic controllers. The idea has been discussed at conferences he’s attended, but he’s unaware that anyone else has actually “branded” a tower like this.

Planning commissioners raised concerns about making an exception to an ordinance for a government agency which a private entity would have difficulty getting, and others wonder what kind of image the signs would create for our fair city in the minds of visitors. Thursday the planning commission unanimously denied the request for the exception to the city ordinance. One member said, “I don’t think our government buildings should represent the goodwill and support of corporate interests.”

Airport Director Case hasn’t given up, though, and will be taking his request to the City Council, which could overrule the commission and allow the project to go forward.

What do you think of such a proposal? How would you feel about seeing such “branding” on your hometown control tower — or any airport tower?

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor