New signage planned for Stardust

Monday, March 29, 1999 | 11:08 a.m.

Mikohn Gaming Corp. signed a $1.2 million contract to provide the Stardust hotel-casino's new exterior signs.

The Stardust is undergoing a $25 million renovation of its exterior look, public spaces and guests rooms "intended to make the property more competitive with other Strip resorts," according to owner Boyd Gaming Corp.'s latest earnings statement.

Boyd's decision last October to renovate the Stardust ended months of speculation the company might demolish the aging resort and build something else in its place. At the time, William S. Boyd, chairman and chief executive of the company, said Boyd had put its Stardust redevelopment plans on hold "until we have a clearer picture of Strip conditions after several new resorts open."

Mikohn will install about 12,600 linear feet of neon lighting at the Stardust. The equivalent of two and a half miles of tubing, the lights will feature a "contemporary-looking coved design with horizontal banks of neon replacing the current system's thousands of criss-crossed, exposed vertical tubes," Mikohn said.

The new lighting will save Boyd money, according to Mikohn. The tubes will require only 210,000 watts of electricity, compared to the current 600,000 watts.

Mikohn will also renovate the Stardust's 15-story sign, its porte cochere and various other signs throughout the property.

Mikohn's work will be done by late spring. Stardust's overall renovation is expected to be completed by the end of the year.