Council asks staff to weigh in on Sam the Record Man sign

TORONTO – Council wants city staff to help decide whether to let Ryerson University renege on its promise to reinstall the iconic Sam the Record Man sign at the school’s new student centre.

Council asked city staff Wednesday to study whether another area in the vicinity of the original store location could be used to host the sign while still promoting the area’s musical history.

Mayor Rob Ford put forth a motion this morning at city hall to force Ryerson to reinstall the Sam the Record Man sign back on Yonge or Gould Street.

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“There’s a great deal of history here,” said Ford at council Wednesday.

Ryerson asked the city to let it out of the promise it made 4 years ago, citing risk of mercury spillage, a lack of qualified neon sign professionals, high maintenance costs and structural risks related to mounting the sign.

Ryerson proposed putting a sidewalk plaque outside the student centre instead.

READ MORE: Sam the Record Man: What is part of Toronto’s heritage?