The Storefront

sponsored by 

Skyscraper projects are set to remake New York skyline
The City Council's approval of Vornado Realty Trust's proposed tower in Manhattan is one of several projects that will alter the city's skyline. Others include Beekman Tower near City Hall and the World Trade Center. Developers are pushing for these projects with the argument the city needs more modernized office space. The Wall Street Journal (8/30)

• Times Square sees an influx of fashion stores: Fashion retailers are increasingly discovering the charms of New York's Times Square, and new apparel shops have helped the district's landlords keep occupancy and rents up during the downturn. Price-conscious chains including Levi's, American Eagle and Forever 21 have all added Times Square stores recently, and Aeropostale has plans to open its store there this fall. The Wall Street Journal/Metropolis blog (8/30)

Tesco's China chief has aggressive expansion plan
Ken Towle, head of Tesco in China, is planning to open 40 million square feet of new retail space in China over the next five years. The $6.1 billion investment plan also includes 80 shopping centers complete with cinemas, gyms and apartments. However, the competition -- namely Wal-Mart and Carrefour -- is daunting and Tesco is playing catch-up. The Telegraph (London) (8/24)

Sheraton plans expansion in China
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is expanding in China, where it already has 60 properties. The Starwood-owned chain says China is leading the way in the recovery of global tourism, and the company is planning eight new hotels in China by the end of the year and another 18 properties in the country by 2015. American City Business Journals/Honolulu (8/30)

Technology and Trends

Cruise ship adds state-of-the-art digital displays
P&O Cruises has installed a cutting-edge digital signage system on its luxury liner Azura, the newest ship in its fleet. The company hired U.K.-based Beaver Solutions for the installation, which includes a giant LED "SeaScreen" above the pool along with dozens of smaller digital displays throughout the ship's 19 decks. Sign & Digital Graphics (8/2010)

Government and Regulatory

Myrtle Beach, S.C., officials may allow digital billboards
The City Council in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is set to vote this month on changes to the city's sign ordinance that would allow businesses in the resort town's entertainment district to add attention-grabbing animated signs with no restrictions on number or size. The council postponed a vote originally scheduled for last week in order to make some final changes to the proposal. WMBF-TV (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) (8/23) WPDE-TV (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) (8/25)

Other News

• Proposed ordinance changes would allow more temporary but fewer permanent signs
  Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, N.Y.) (8/29)

• Colorado town's code committee urges officials to keep out flashy electronic displays
  The Tribune (Greeley, Colo.) (8/28)

ISA Update

ISA and the IGCC
In late August, ISA staff members traveled to Chicago to propose three changes to the new International Green Construction Code. Though only 25.3% of the nearly 1,400 proposals for modification were approved in this round of hearings, one of ISA's three proposals was approved. Now a part of the IGCC, this ISA-written language creates an exemption for some signs from automated demand response controls designed to protect the power grid in times of peak demand. ISA plans to continue attempts to modify additional IGCC language in the next round of hearings in early 2011. For more information on the IGCC, contact sapna.budev@signs.org or kenneth.peskin@signs.org.

SmartQuote

Email: isa@smartbrief.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at http://www.smartbrief.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe