A restored landmark was lit up last month in celebration of Mardi Gras (HBA)
History, Hillcrest

Flashing More Color

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

The historic Hillcrest sign that hangs over west University Avenue near Fifth Avenue was recently rehung after receiving an $80,000 refurbishing. The sign was down for several weeks during its surgical procedure and went back up just in time for the kickoff of Mardi Gras in late February.

Originally installed in 1941, the sign now features more bells and whistles as well as LED lighting opposed to old-fashioned neon.

“The classic appearance of the sign will be in effect most of the time. But it’s been upgraded so that it can change colors for seasonal events, such as blue and white for transgender week at the end of March; rainbow colors for Pride in summer; and Christmas colors in December,” said Hillcrest Business Association executive director Benjamin Nicholls the day after a five-man work crew put the sign back up.

Festive Mardi Gras colors were cast from the sign later that evening.

Nicholls pointed out that funds raised for the sign’s renovation stemmed entirely from the community, through both small and large donations from neighborhood residents and business owners.