Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky has instructed
municipality officials to set up a special administration to
make improvements in the Geulah area of Yerushalayim,
including signs for businesses on Rechov Malchei Yisroel. The
administration will also assess the possibility of assistance
in paying for new signs.
Last week a delegation of city officials headed by Deputy
Mayor Rabbi Uri Maklev surveyed the neighborhood to seek
solutions for shopkeepers on the side streets. During the
tour the delegations members, including mayoral advisor Eyal
Chaimovsky, the heads of the city inspection, sign and
engineering departments, and community administration
representatives, considered claims lodged by local
merchants.
In the past the municipality issued a directive to cancel
sign licenses in the neighborhood, which often detract from
the cityscape and violate the sign ordinance, but merchants
complained that the directive undermines their livelihood.
Rabbi Maklev worked to arrange temporary sign permits until a
comprehensive solution could be found for businesses located
on the side streets.
The delegation also decided that the merchants must take
steps to alter and upgrade the appearance of their businesses
in accordance with a detailed plan the municipality is slated
to work on during the coming weeks to foster business
activity while preserving the appearance of the streets.
The heads of the neighborhood merchants' committee thanked
the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for their efforts in this area
and welcomed the setup of the administration, which is
expected to promote commercial prosperity and improve the
look of the neighborhood.
