Sign solution saves mobile phone signals

The Pearl's great mobile phone dispute is over. For now, at least. And if the innovative solution works. A year ago, Verizon Wireless asked to reconfigure its mobile phone antennas on the roof of the Dehen Building at 400 N.W. 10th Ave. New buildings in the neighborhood interfered with the required line-of-sight signal transmission. But city development officials said the proposed changes made the mobile antennas more visible from the street, adding unwelcome clutter. Verizon proposed hiding the antennas in a fake chimney or a fake air vent. Alas, the city said "fake" violated its architectural design guidelines. After a lengthy stalemate, Tim Eddy, a member of the Portland Design Commission, suggested that the antennas might be hidden in a blade-style sign extending from the building facade. "Right now we're kind of optimistic the sign is something that might work," says Chris Koback, an attorney representing Verizon. "The sign is an ingenious solution," says Lloyd Lindley, design commission chairman. He thinks the strategy could be used in other difficult locations. "It seems like a really innovative way to use a sign for more than just advertising."