HIRA Inc. had requested a relaxing of sign ordinances to install a 300 square-foot, 35 foot-tall electronic billboard.
It would have directly faced the University of Evansville’s Lincoln Commons student housing building.
Noah Alatza, UE chief communications officer, said it would have been a safety hazard for students.
“We recognize that that intersection is already plagued with individuals that are speeding and distracted, and this is just going to be another thing there that’s going to be a distraction in an already congested intersection,” Alatza said.
Alatza said in the Spring 2025 semester alone, there were three to four incidents involving student pedestrians getting hit at that intersection.
A meeting with the Zoning Board of Appeals was to be held Thursday to hear the proposal of the billboard installation.
Local residents planned to attend to share their thoughts and opposition.
Amanda Benson, president of the Vann Park Neighborhood Association, said such a sign would not have fit in the neighborhood.
“We’ve tried to create a quaint quiet atmosphere for our residents,” she said. “We just think it would cause even more of these electronic billboards to be established in our neighborhood and that’s not what we’re trying to do.”
She said they pride themselves on having an urban canopy in the neighborhood, and the billboard would go against the association’s mission.
The University of Evansville was informed Wednesday of the cancellation of the billboard request.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WNIN to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Give to grow our local reporting today. Donate