The last time this iconic sign in Minneapolis lit up was in 1991 and cost a fortune to illuminate. The sign is likely lighting again soon and will have a cool new look.

According to the Start Tribune, August Schell Brewing re-purchased the 50×40 foot Grain Belt sign and the land it sits on, located on Nicollet Island. The sign was built in 1941, and was turned off for good in the early 1990’s. It wasn’t always at it’s current location. Originally the sign was above the Marigold Ballroom on Nicollet Avenue until 1950, for being moved to Nicollet Island.

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The plan is to re-light the sign with LED bulbs instead of neon tubes that have always been installed in the sign. According to their proposal to the Minneapolis Planning Commission, they will install the lighting in the original holes of the sign to not disturb the original sign architecture.

The planning commission still needs to formally approve the application to re-light the sign, which is now part of the National Register of Historic Places, so it's likely that as long as August Schell Brewing follows their guidelines, construction of the new LED bulbs will start very quickly.

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