If all goes according to plan, the Charleston Civic Center could soon show brief videos or animations on the new electronic message boards it hopes to install.

City officials have tweaked a bill that would allow four large venues to erect modern message boards to promote future events. The new version, to be introduced at a Municipal Planning Commission meeting this afternoon, would allow animated or video messages for up to 10 seconds each minute.

The provision was added at the request of Civic Center General Manager John Robertson, said mayoral aide Rod Blackstone, one of several administration leaders who have been meeting with affected parties in recent weeks. The message boards would also be allowed at the Clay Center, Appalachian Power Park and the Municipal Auditorium, which Robertson manages.

Signs with moving images or parts have traditionally been frowned upon within the city. The current zoning law forbids signs with flashing lights.

But folks at the Clay and civic centers have been lobbying city leaders to let them install modern electronic signs that use light-emitting diodes or other technology to display static and moving color images.

"If the technology is out there, why close the door on it completely?" Blackstone said. "I think the entities understand they don't need unlimited streaming video."

Robertson said that when one of the venues invests in such a sign, it automatically buys the capability of showing moving images. "I think in the 21st century, the expectation of the public is different. To be effective, you have to mix the message a little bit.

"We've agreed, amongst the groups, to a compromise: 10 seconds out of a minute could be used for moving messages. That doesn't mean it would be used, but it gives us the opportunity to put some on.

If all goes according to plan, the Charleston Civic Center could soon show brief videos or animations on the new electronic message boards it hopes to install.

City officials have tweaked a bill that would allow four large venues to erect modern message boards to promote future events. The new version, to be introduced at a Municipal Planning Commission meeting this afternoon, would allow animated or video messages for up to 10 seconds each minute.

The provision was added at the request of Civic Center General Manager John Robertson, said mayoral aide Rod Blackstone, one of several administration leaders who have been meeting with affected parties in recent weeks. The message boards would also be allowed at the Clay Center, Appalachian Power Park and the Municipal Auditorium, which Robertson manages.

Signs with moving images or parts have traditionally been frowned upon within the city. The current zoning law forbids signs with flashing lights.

But folks at the Clay and civic centers have been lobbying city leaders to let them install modern electronic signs that use light-emitting diodes or other technology to display static and moving color images.

"If the technology is out there, why close the door on it completely?" Blackstone said. "I think the entities understand they don't need unlimited streaming video."

Robertson said that when one of the venues invests in such a sign, it automatically buys the capability of showing moving images. "I think in the 21st century, the expectation of the public is different. To be effective, you have to mix the message a little bit.

"We've agreed, amongst the groups, to a compromise: 10 seconds out of a minute could be used for moving messages. That doesn't mean it would be used, but it gives us the opportunity to put some on.

"Let's say we were promoting the West Virginia International Auto Show. We could have a car moving across the screen pulling a banner with the dates of the show."

City planning director Dan Vriendt said staff had concerns about the moving signs distracting traffic. "We thought 10 seconds wouldn't be a problem. If the Civic Center wants to have a monster truck scroll across their screen, they can."

The Civic Center was given special preference in the revised bill because it already has two message signs, he said. "The Civic Center doesn't have a primary façade. It's on two one-way streets. They already have a variance for two signs. So we decided to grandfather them in."

The bill was carefully written so that such signs would be allowed at only four places in the central business district, Vriendt said. "I really don't think we're opening the door."

The only way another business could get permission for such a sign is to obtain a variance, Vriendt said. "They would have to show a hardship. I don't think they could make a case for a hardship. I think we've drawn a hard line in the sand."

The revised bill passed one hurdle Tuesday when members of the Municipal Beautification Commission gave it their blessing.

That group makes recommendations on signage, like billboards and murals. City Council will have final say on the bill at a later date.

To contact staff writer Jim Balow, use e-mail or call 348-5102.