As the self-storage industry permeates our communities, it receives increasing attention from mainstream media outletsand not always favorably. As industry professionals, we should be aware of how self-storage is presented to the public. Media Watchdog is devoted to policing and summarizing general news coverage.

Novato Planners to Discuss Storage Facility 

From Marin Independent Journal, 8.20.06 

A proposed storage facility in unincorporated Novato, Calif., will be considered by the Marin County Airport Land Use Commission and the countys planning board in a joint public hearing. The proposal includes a 685-unit, 25-building multipurpose facility on 29 acres of a 47-acre property. The buildings, ranging in height from 18 to 24 feet, would be used for personal vehicles, RVs, boats, household items and office storage.

Spa Development Includes Mini Storage 

From The Nevada Appeal, 7.19.06 

A $4 million spa development in Carson City, Nev., will include two mini-storage buildings with 226 climate-controlled units. The facility will consist of a 26,500-square-foot, two-story building and a 3,450-squarefoot, one-story building.

Small Community Gets New Storage Center 

From Lake Wylie Pilot, 8.11.06 

The new Kodiak Mini Storage along S.C. 49, Lake Wylie, S.C., (pop. 3,061) should bring about 600 additional storage units to the area by spring or early summer 2007. Plans for the facility include 8,200 square feet of storage space. The 8-acre project is in the grading stage.

Arsenal Found In Massachusetts Storage Units 

From CBS 4 Boston, 8.10.06 

Police are searching for a man who hid an arsenal, including a rocket launcher, guns, ammunition and knives, in rented storage units in Pembroke and Kingston, Mass. The renter purchased most of the weapons legally in 1983, but he has not had a valid Massachusetts gun license for several years, police said. Police said the man used several self-storage units to house weapons for years. When he stopped paying rent, the owner of the facility seized the contents. Staff members were cleaning out the unit when they found the weapons.

Fictional Storage Used in Prison Break

From Chicago Sun-Times, 8.25.06 

Foxs TV drama Prison Break returned with its escaped convicts fleeing to Oswego, Ill. Allens Self Storage is a fictional storage facility where the lead character, Michael Scofield, has stored items needed to facilitate this seasons part of the escape.

Students Endorse Self-Storage Convenience 

From Staten Island Advance, 8.20.06 

Staten Island college students emptying dorm rooms at the end of the school year before going home advise getting a storage space and reserving it early. That means reserving it three to four weeks in advance of when it will be needed. Storage works especially well for students who have come to Staten Island from other parts of the country. Many also like the convenience of a truck picking up their belongings from the campus and taking them to the facility.

Storage Included in Interstate Development 

From Tri Valley Central, 8.22.06 

Self-storage facilities will be included in the first major commercial area west of Interstate 10 in Casa Grande, Ariz. The storage site is expected to be a three-story, 353-unit, air-conditioned building.