A legendary Pike/Pine street corner is set to lose some of its commercial color. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections has issued a sign code violation to the Richmark Label Company for the Alaska Airlines advertisement that was added to the building in September in a space that has become notorious for its usually incongruous marketing messages targeting drinkers of Jager, travelers to Portland, and, now, airline flyers.

Richmark has until November 3rd to remove the billboard or risk $150 per day fines for the first 10 days of noncompliance, $500 per day after. A Richmark representative has not yet returned our call about the notice.



The alleged violation stems from the city’s prohibition of “off premise” advertising in its attempt to curb banners, posters, and signs that some businesses and building owners turn to as a revenue opportunity promoting everything from schools to wireless service. Alaska Airlines doesn’t sell any products or services inside the label factory or the liquor store resident in the building.

Some of the earlier colorful ad murals at the corner, or course, did hawk Jagermeister and tequila but even those days appear to be gone. According to city records, the building no longer has a permit for “on premise” ads. We guess that means no more John Criscitello Jager dongs.

In the meantime, the Richmark Label building’s mural-covered walls got an additional coat of code-compliant paint this summer with a new wave of public works from artists Denial, Bisco Smith, and Josh Doll.