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Evansville design review panel approves reuse of existing sign for new Nando's at 415 Main Street
Summary
The Evansville City Design Review Committee approved an application to remove and refurbish an existing sign cabinet at 415 Main Street for a new Nando's restaurant, keeping the existing frame but replacing the face and adding reverse halo and neon lighting. Permit paperwork was issued for the applicant to take to the Area Plan Commission.
Evansville City’s Design Review Committee approved an application on Feb. 25, 2025, to remove the face of an existing downtown sign at 415 Main Street and refashion it with new aluminum skin, reverse-lit halo letters and gold neon for a forthcoming Nando's restaurant.
The decision allows the sign frame to remain in place while the applicant removes the current sign, refurbishes the cabinet in a shop, and installs new painted letters with back (reverse) illumination and neon accents. The committee’s presiding member issued paperwork to the applicant so they may apply for permitting with the Area Plan Commission.
The applicant described the plan as reusing the existing cabinet and “repurpos[ing] it to the new Nando's,” saying the letters will be “reverse lit, halo” and that a bottom panel will feature neon wording reading “wood fire steak and seafood.” The applicant added that the surrounding graphics will use gold neon and that the new face will be aluminum. The applicant said the sign will be mounted the same way as the current unit and that some decorative elements on the existing sign — a flower motif at the top — will be removed.
Committee members asked practical questions about materials, illumination and timing. One member noted the existing sign’s exposed neon and contrasted it with the proposed reverse, more subtle lighting. The applicant estimated a 6- to 8-week turnaround after permits are obtained and said the contractor had already started shop work; he said the sign could be back up as early as May, weather permitting.
A committee member moved to approve “the removal of the current [sign] … due to the new restaurant name, Nando, with the same sign frame, new metal graphics, and the neon,” and a second was recorded. The presiding official then said paperwork was prepared and handed to the applicant, who was instructed to take it to the Area Plan Commission for permitting.
No city code sections, ordinances or other legal authorities were cited during the discussion. The committee did not debate heritage or historic-preservation restrictions on the record.
The committee spent a short amount of time on the single application on the agenda and adjourned after issuing the approval and related paperwork. The applicant and the committee indicated additional permitting steps at the Area Plan Commission are required before installation and use.
