ANDERSON — The big brown bunny is coming to town.
The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday gave final approval to the giant Nesquik Bunny sign planned along Interstate 69.
The 50-foot-tall sign and its electronic marquee should go up in front of Nestlé’s new plant just east of Exit 22 by the end of September, said Robert Scherer, president of The Sign Group, the Indianapolis firm that designed the sign.
Nestlé is the second company to win approval of an “icon sign” along I-69. The Anderson City Council amended an ordinance in May allowing certain companies located along the interstate to have one additional large sign. Each sign requires city approval, and in June the zoning board granted Hoosier Park its request for a 70-foot sign near Exit 26.
In granting Nestlé its request and authorizing several variances for the sign’s size, the zoning board said the steel and fiberglass sign should draw attention to Anderson and encourage economic development.
“This will say you’ve arrived in Anderson,” city development director Michael Widing told the board.
Nestlé began construction of its Anderson facility in 2006. The plant is nearing completion and is expected to employ around 300 workers. A grand opening event is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Pam Krebs, spokeswoman for Nestlé’s beverage division, said the Nesquik Bunny conveys the feeling that the company wants to have at the Anderson facility. The cartoon character has represented the Nesquik brand of chocolate milk since 1973.
“We’re very fortunate to have a fun mascot to work with,” she said.
Scherer said the bunny sign will be less than half the size of the free-standing sign at the Hamilton Town Center at Exit 10 in Hamilton County, and Nestlé’s sign will use the same L.E.D. display technology.
The sign’s messages will include Nestlé promotions as well as community announcements, Scherer said, but it will not include any fast-moving or flashing lights.
“The most movement you are going to have is one image moving to the next or a brief video if they can program that,” he said.
Local News
8:20 a.m.: BZA approves 50-foot Nestle sign
- Local News
-
-
Historic Preservation Commission turns down school board
Arguments were made over historical significance, sentimental value, structural stability, safety and finances during a Historic Preservation Commission meeting Monday evening discussing whether to grant South Madison Community Schools board’s proposal to demolish the former middle school at 301 S. East St.
-
Hoosier Park revenue posts 4 percent increase so far this year
Gambling revenue from Indiana’s 13 casinos has dropped the past two years and faces a third year of decline in 2013. But revenue at Hoosier Park & Casino grew at rate of 4 percent so far this year, said CEO Jim Brown.
-
College fair for non-traditional students scheduled
The Madison County Education Coalition has set June 12 as the date for a Non-Traditional Student College Fair. The event will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at Mounds Mall.
-
State takeover of failing schools meets resistance
A decade after Indiana legislators gave the state the power to take over chronically failing schools, the first implementation of the law is meeting with resistance, skepticism, and questions about its costs.
-
Departed veterans honored at Park View Cemetery
Several volunteers recently took time out to honor veterans who have died and are interred in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria.
-
Poll question for Tuesday, May 22
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Learning Academy withdraws application
According to the Indiana Department of Education, the Anderson Learning Academy has withdrawn its charter application from the Indiana Charter School Board.
-
What's Where: May 22
Local activities are scheduled Tuesday.
-
Local Briefs: May 22
A compilation of news items of local and statewide interest as published in the Tuesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Arrest log: May 22
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Sunday and Monday, based on Madison County Jail records.
- More Local News Headlines
-
