By Kayley Frank
The proposed sign for Hoosier Park, set to be erected along Interstate 69, won’t just be big in size.
According to Rick Moore, general manager of racing at Hoosier Park, it’ll also cost the establishment a large amount of resources to build it.
“It’s going to be a big number,” he said. “But it’s not a firm one yet.”
While Moore was unable to specify a specific dollar amount for the sign, he did say that the total amount would depend on the final design of the sign — something that’s still in the works.
“Right now, the designs we have are just a mock-up,” he said. “We have to finalize the elements of the sign before we can put a price tag on it.”
Elements that will affect the sign’s cost include its dimensions and the use of light and video, said Moore.
Additionally, the design and construction of the sign are subject to federal regulation by the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
According to Will Wingfield, spokesman for INDOT at the Greenfield district, signs like the one Hoosier Park has proposed actually fall under current billboard regulations.
“It depends on whether or not the sign is on or off premise,” Wingfield said. “For example, the proposed Nestlé sign could be built on Nestlé’s property, since they’re located right by the interstate. Because the Hoosier Park sign would be built off-premise, it’s subject to billboard regulations.”
According to Wingfield, in order to comply with current legislation, the Hoosier Park sign must be built on a spot that’s zoned for commercial or industrial use and follow the regulations put forward by the Highway Beautification Act of 1968 and a 2007 law regarding digital billboards. “Since the proposed sign would most likely utilize LCD technology and have changeable messages, it would have to follow the digital billboard laws,” he said.
Wingfield also said that while signs like the one Hoosier Park has proposed aren’t new to the state of Indiana, to some extent, it’s technology the state is relatively unfamiliar with. “There have been a few installed around the state — I’ve seen some digital billboards down in Southern Indiana,” he said. “But this one is unique in the sense that they want to do a Vegas-style sign. To a certain degree, we’re entering new territory. It’s a pretty new concept.”
However, according to Wingfield, the digital billboard design is gaining popularity. “Hoosier Park is putting it up to help advertise their racing and casino,” he said. “A Vegas-style sign does catch your eye and has the ability to do a lot of things.”
