Paint Sign on Building: Land in Federal Court

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You have probably seen the sign along I-44. "End Eminent Domain Abuse." The guy who owns the building (which is a dump) says he has the right to hold onto his building as long as he wants and to paint whatever he wants on it.

I'm not going to get into an eminent domain conversation here. The question is about free speech. The city of St. Louis tried to force the guy to get a permit to paint a message on his own building. Then, when he applied, they denied the permit.

Does this sound a little like the thought police to you? Then again, the building is an eyesore. Anyway, he's suing and they're in front of a federal appeals court this morning. What should happen? Comments?