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The WVXU News Department presents a special series on the opening of the new Horseshoe Casino, exploring issues like security, parking, development around the area, gambling addiction, and much more.

Cincinnati Council ready to approve large casino sign

When the Horseshoe Casino opens next spring it will likely have an 80-foot tall sign to attract customers.  

The full City Council is expected to approve the idea next week.  The Budget and Finance Committee Monday approved the sign.  

Council Member Chris Seelbach is supportive.

“I think most reasonable people would say that this sign makes sense,” Seelbach said.  “I don’t know that you can see it from Over The Rhine because of where it is positioned at the casino site and how low it is.”

At other Horseshoe sites, the entrance signs are typically about 110-feet high.  So the Cincinnati sign will be smaller.  

Casino officials say they need it to attract people to the site from interstate 71 and 471.

A zoning hearing examiner had recently rejected the plan.  

Alex Peppers with the Department of Planning and Buildings explained why.

“Our department previously recommended approval of the variance to the zoning hearing examiner,” Peppers said.  “However it was denied based on it was too substantial, it was believed to be more than necessary to attract people to the site itself and it was directed to the interstate traffic which is currently disfavored in the downtown zoning.”

The City Planning Commission recommended last week Council take the action.

Jay Hanselman brings more than 10 years experience as a news anchor and reporter to 91.7 WVXU. He came to WVXU from WNKU, where he hosted the local broadcast of All Things Considered. Hanselman has been recognized for his reporting by the Kentucky AP Broadcasters Association, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and the Ohio AP Broadcasters.