New Portland parks sponsor policy launched
The City of Portland has kicked off its corporate sponsorship program for the city's parks in style, sending out dozens of bills to businesses whose names already appear on parks and recreation facilities.
Among those dunned retroactively for naming rights were Wildwood Restuarant, for the Wildwood Trail; Pioneer Electronics, for Pioneer Courthouse Square; and Rose's Restaurant, for the International Rose Garden. "This is an important step in our continuing movement toward public-private partnerships," said Zari Santner, chief of the city's parks bureau. "We believe that the name recognition that our parks give to these businesses helps to foster goodwill on both our parts. It's a win-win situation."
City commissioner Erik Sten applauded the initiative. "It's like a few years ago, when Mayor Katz and I were proposing that we charge city contractors a fee for the right to say that they do business with us. That's important intellectual property, and I think the rates we are charging in this case are very affordable."
Not every recipient of an invoice was as enthusiastic about the program, however. "This is a ripoff," said Bob Pittock of Pittock Auto Body and Towing of Clifton, N.J. That company was billed $5,000 for the naming rights to Portland's famous Pittock Mansion. And the government of Israel has filed a diplomatic protest with the U.S. State Department over a $7,200 invoice it received for the rights to name Mount Tabor Park. "We have our legal counsel looking at the relevant treaties," said a State Department spokesperson. "It's a sensitive matter, and we don't want to rush to judgment."
The investment consulting giant Wilshire Associates released a statement Friday announcing plans to contest the $6,176 fee it has been assessed with respect to Wilshire Park. Meanwhile, Washington Mutual Bank referred all inquiries regarding the $22,5000 charge it has been assessed for the name Washington Park to its attorneys, who were not immediately available for comment.
Trademark lawyers said a court battle was likely in the case of the Laurelwood Brew Pub and the Laurelthirst Pub, who were jointly billed for Laurelhurst Park. "Those names are similar," said Tony Bertucci, an intellectual property law professor at Minnesota State University, "but they're not identical. It's a close call."
The launch of the new program was not without some administrative problems. The city's billing computers mistakenly sent a statement charging $15,000 to the Montreal Expos baseball team for the name of the Portland Expo Center. That team, however was disbanded in 2004. "We were using an old tape, and a few of the invoices were sent to defunct businesses," explained Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who is in charge of the city's parks. "We are getting the kinks out now, and after a few initial minor problems, which are to be expected, we expect the flow of revenue to be smooth."
Commissioner Sam Adams told reporters last week that he planned to expand the sponsorship program to the city's transportation bureau, which he directs. Adams said that the bureau had already sent bills to Jean Reynolds and Walt Richardson, after whom the city has named the new aerial tram cars. "The tram is going to cost the city nearly a million dollars a year to run," he said, "and let's face it, we don't have that kind of money. Walt and Jean will have to kick in a couple of thousand apiece. Originally, it was supposed to be free for them, but our costs have really escalated for reasons that no one anticipated."
The launch of the parks sponsorship program came as staffers in the parks bureau continued preparations for the upcoming public meetings on the policy, as well as other aspects of future financing of the city's fiscally challenged parks operations. The city has hired skilled, professional facilitators to insure that the meetings will be productive and "gratifying for all involved."
Posted at 6:34 AM
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Comments (19)
we expect the flow of revenue to be smooth
Holy cow...that should be on the city vehicles instead of "The City that Works"...
The tram is going to cost the city nearly a million dollars a year to run," he said, "and let's face it, we don't have that kind of money.
And the truth shall set you free!
our costs have really escalated for reasons that no one anticipated.
Now that is a load of crap.
Posted by Jon | January 22, 2007 7:53 AM
And they sent a bill to Israel? Washington Mutual Bank??
Is this from The Onion?
Posted by Jon | January 22, 2007 8:00 AM
The Bojack Onion. The Bunion?
Posted by b!X | January 22, 2007 8:09 AM
Think big: bill Portland, Maine also.
Posted by Isaac Laquedem | January 22, 2007 8:25 AM
How about charging any Portland residents who can see Mt. Hood a View Fee?
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 22, 2007 9:17 AM
ROFL
News from the Bunion.
Posted by godfry | January 22, 2007 9:29 AM
Also, bill Matt Groening for using so many Portland names in The Simpsons. This fee should be per-use.
Posted by b!X | January 22, 2007 9:40 AM
I'm thinking about that new, and as yet unamed, "park"...the one that cost us taxpayers millions of dollars.
Now, wouldn't that be a cash cow? First, we'd have to place it up for bid (making sure that every major pharmaceutical company in the world receives an announcement). Then one could load it with all sorts of revenue enhancers, like offering to provide the park design service, offering to design in the corporate logo of the benefactor, so that it was always in the view of those using the *rimshot*tram. That oughta pull down a pretty penny.
I'm thinking "Pfizer Fpark". With the "Storables Underground Parking Garage".
Ain't visioning fun?
Posted by godfry | January 22, 2007 9:43 AM
How about charging any Portland residents who can see Mt. Hood a View Fee?
Well see, now those folks who's view was blocked by the SoWhat towers will get a benefit after all!
Posted by Jon | January 22, 2007 10:01 AM
Very good. And my calendar stll says January 22. Nine weeks plus until April 1.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | January 22, 2007 11:16 AM
Portland Maine should bill Portland Oregon for name use.
This is too rediculous to be true, even for the folks who run Portland Or.
Posted by Eileen | January 22, 2007 11:36 AM
Are you pulling our collective foots or is this for real?
Posted by Juanita | January 22, 2007 12:01 PM
Oh, good lord.
Posted by b!X | January 22, 2007 12:06 PM
Jack is a naughty boy. No apple for you.
Priceless!
Posted by D man | January 22, 2007 12:14 PM
The name should be changed from "The City That Works" to "The City That Works You Over"
Does Dan Saltzman have to pay for Saltzman Rd?
Posted by Larry | January 22, 2007 12:55 PM
Actually, they are charging Mike Schrunk for the name Overlook Park.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 22, 2007 1:48 PM
Don't forget to bill the estate of Dr. Martin Luther King. OH! And Vera Katz for her Esplanade...
Posted by Larry K | January 22, 2007 2:06 PM
And Boston Brewing for Sam Adams.
Posted by Bark Munster | January 22, 2007 3:39 PM
This is all too good to be true.
By the way, we already pay a "View Fee". If you examine the county assessor's card on your property evaluation there is a line in there for "Views". I personally have been paying an additional $1300 in yearly property taxes for my view. I've lost some of my view due to SoWhat and asked the county assessor for a reduction. Guess what?
I hope all the property owners in our South Portland, Homestead Goose Hollow, and Downtown neighborhoods formally appeal their property taxes on the "view loss". I know, we have no rights to views (except for designated view corridors and scenic corridors like SW Terwilliger), but the city has no right to charge us for it.
Posted by Jerry | January 22, 2007 10:01 PM