It’s a sign of the times.
Concerned about the proliferation of shop signs exclusively in foreign languages, two city lawmakers want to ensure that a minimum amount of English is used on every sign.
A bill sponsored by Councilmen Dan Halloran and Peter Koo, both Queens Republicans, would give merchants up to four years to change existing signs and shop awnings to make sure stores’ names and addresses are in English.
The law would be more stringent for new signs, requiring that 60 percent of the words are English.
The four-year phase-in for existing signs is intended to minimize financial burdens shop owners might face in complying with the requirement, should it be enacted.
“Downtown Flushing stores are not getting utilized in the way that they should be. Those merchants should benefit from having the broadest expanse of consumers that they could possibly have,” Halloran said.
He said the bill would assist first responders in finding crime scenes, fires and other emergencies. He said it would help shoppers if they want to file complaints with the city.