Ever wondered about those ubiquitous boxes along city streets? Presumably, the boxes are the (illegitimate?) progeny of the respectable newspaper box (soon to disappear vis-a-vis the demise of the newspaper?). The Times-Dispatch and USA Today hook up and the Free Press is the result of the union. Or something like that. It is curious that that although the boxes appear periodically, they never seem to disappear - they take on other roles, like trash receptacle or reliquary.
Interestingly, according to a representative of the Zoning Department of the City of Richmond, there is no mechanism in place to regulate the placement, maintenance or removal of paper boxes - they are considered a part of Constitutionally protected free speech. So - when a paper box becomes an exhibit of empty gin and Joose containers...From the City or Richmond Urban Design Guidelines (published in 2006) in reference to Newspaper Boxes:
One or more newspaper vending machines can create an eyesore or visual clutter in the streetscape. Therefore, newspaper vending machines should be consolidated into newspaper/utility enclosures or racks.
Apparently, there is a disconnect somewhere.
