Art News

Old Coca Cola Sign Causes Flap in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (AP).- A restored Coca Cola sign decorating the side of a San Francisco house that may date back to the 1930s has set off a surprising spat among neighborhood residents and city officials. The city says the bright red painted sign on the side of Richard Modolo’s home violates anti-billboard laws and must come down. City Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Bernal Heights neighborhood, said he’s received passionate e-mails from people on both sides of the debate. Some are concerned that the sign promotes a sugary drink, sending a dangerous message to students at a nearby elementary school. “We’re trying to fight childhood obesity,” Campos said. “We don’t want to promote kids drinking Coca-Cola.” But Campos said he’s considering introducing legislation that would create a special “historic sign district” to preserve the 15-by-7-foot sign. Modolo said he discovered it in 1991 when he removed asbestos siding from his home, which was a grocery store years ago. A