ARCADIA — A 30-day work stoppage appeared to be in the offing Tuesday night as both sides in the Round Barn controversy sought a solution.

Zoom Media Group brought five options to the bargaining table before Tuesday evening’s Town Council meeting, when the Round Barn issue was on the agenda.

Arcadia Mayor Marilyn Murrell and town trustees James Woodard and Blanche Jacobs received information but did not make any decisions on the issue, which has been a hot topic since work on the billboard began last week.

Opponents say the billboard is an eyesore that detracts from the architectural wonder added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1977. Zoom Media has said it was a business decision aimed at streaming business to Arcadia.

David Box, a local attorney, addressed the Council on behalf of the Arcadia Historical Society and said while he appreciated the assistance from town staff his research into related town codes and the work permit is incomplete.

Box said the Arcadia Historical Society was given the options on Monday and persons associated with the Round Barn need time to be able to confirm code and permit issues. He asked the Council for a copy of the work permit.

Everette Altdoerffer, an attorney representing Zoom Media, said the company was willing to halt work on the billboard for 30 days, at which time a decision would have to be made.

Altdoerffer read the options:

• Option No. 1: Zoom Media will offer the Arcadia Historical Society the greater of either $10,000 or the entire income generated by the existing sign in its first year of operation. The potential income from the sign during a one-year period is $21,600.

• Option No. 2: The Arcadia Historical Society or any concerned individuals or organization may acquire an easement on which the sign can be relocated. Such an easement must be located on Route 66 between the Arcadia tag agency and Interstate 35. Payment of $12,000 for the removal and relocation of the sign will be required with this option. After the sign is relocated Zoom Media will donate the property the sign currently occupies to the Arcadia Historical Society.

• Option No. 3: The Arcadia Historical Society, or any concerned individuals or organization may obtain permission to relocate the sign to land currently available to Zoom Media. This land is located within the City of Edmond on Second Street between Air Depot Boulevard and Midwest Boulevard. If this option is selected Zoom Media will pay the $12,000 relocation costs and then donate the property in question to the Arcadia Historical Society.

• Option No. 4: The Arcadia Historical Society, or any concerned individuals or organization may buy the sign from Zoom Media at cost — $57,719.20. If this option is selected, Zoom Media will donate $10,000 toward the cost. Further, the sign must be removed and disposed of in 30 days. After removal and disposal Zoom Media will donate the land in question to the Arcadia Historical Society.

• Option No. 5: Zoom Media will donate two of the four advertising locations on the billboard to the Arcadia Historical Society for advertising as long as those sign faces have not been leased.



EMOTIONS RUN DEEP

Locals say the Round Barn is quite the sight to see, one of the nation’s unique landmarks.

Originally built in 1898, as traffic declined on Route 66 the town of Arcadia declined with it. In 1988, after suffering decades of neglect, the Round Barn’s immense 60-foot diameter roof collapsed. The cost of the repair was a staggering $165,000.

Luther “Luke” Robinson, a retired building contractor, long admired the Round Barn and decided to save it from utter ruin. Robinson and the “Over the Hill Gang” volunteered time, money and skill to the restoration effort.

In 1992, Robinson and members of the Arcadia Historical Society received the National Preservation Honor Award.

Tuesday night, Robinson’s son, Lerence Robinson, spoke during the meeting, and talked about his father’s role in the restoration. Lerence, his voice echoing the emotion he was feeling inside, said his father loved the area and the Round Barn.

“He wanted to bring it back,” he said.

Lerence talked about how trees were taken down so the Round Barn could be seen. He urged townsfolk to address the problem, not the billboard owner, and to pray that the Round Barn would be returned to what it was.

Vi Davis, Arcadia Historical Society treasurer, said the society did not know about the billboard in advance, and there were many things she could discuss. The society needs time to negotiate and gather facts, she said.

“The fact is we need more time,” Davis said. “We need more time to explore those options.”

Sam Gillaspy, affectionately called Mr. Sam, held a photograph depicting a view of the Round Barn from the east along Route 66 obstructed by the 40-foot-tall billboard. It stands on a tract of land 12 feet wide by 70 feet long.

“I was disappointed when I found out we didn’t own the property and someone had put the monstrous steel skeleton up there,” he said.

Mr. Sam called the Round Barn a national treasure, and said many tourists on Route 66 say that’s what they want to see most.



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