There are 17 boxes in a row outside the Broadway Post Office. Kleinfelter has asked the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Traffic Calming Advisory Committee to look into the problem and to possibly find a way to regulate the location of boxes on sidewalks. The council approved his request last week. The committee meets at 4 p.m. June 7 at the Metro Courthouse. Kate Cleary, director of circulation for The Tennessean , said it's not uncommon for cities to regulate the location and number of paper boxes at those locations.
Many cities require permits for boxes.
Some, including Chapel Hill, N.C., also require that they be well kept. David Hudson, staff attorney for the First Amendment Center, said the regulation of news racks does raise First Amendment concerns. Richard Curtis, circulation director for the Thrifty Nickel Want Ads , said there are more than 20 separate free publications available in boxes downtown. Associated Press content is Copyrighted by The Associated Press.