Wind Creek Hospitality, the operating arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama that is in the process of purchasing the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Pennsylvania from Las Vegas Sands Corporation, is ready to begin changing the exterior signage on the property.
Late last week, the Bethlehem Planning Commission was set to review Wind Creek’s application to remove the iconic neon red Sands logo from the massive ore crane leading to the casino’s entrance and replace it with Wind Creek. Since the new owner’s name is much longer, the ore crane sign will have to increase by 693 square feet.
Wind Creek is also asking to alter the three “main monument” signs at the entrances to the casino, hotel and events center, as well as seven plaques in the outlet mall.
The planning commission was to meet Thursday to vet Wind Creek’s sign waiver requests, needed because the new signs are much larger than what city zoning allows—50 square feet for wall and freestanding signs on the property. The Sands needed a similar waiver in 2009 for its ore bridge sign.
Sands casino spokeswoman Julia Corwin told the Lehigh Valley Live news site that Wind Creek is continuing to work with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on the licensing process for the sale.
“While we do not have exact timing on approvals, the lead time for the production of such large scale materials is several months,” Corwin said. “By seeking approvals from the city of Bethlehem during March, we allow ample time for the production and installation of the new signage after the transaction has been approved by the PGCB and finalized.”
Wind Creek, which will rename the property Wind Creek Bethlehem, plans to invest $190 million in the property after the deal closes later this year.
