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Controversial Strip Club Billboard on I-84 Coming Down

A controversial billboard on I-84 in Tolland promoting the Electric Blue Café strip club is coming down, according to a spokesperson for the club.

The billboard was installed was put up earlier this month the eastbound side of the highway near the rest stop by Exit 70. Some drivers and Tolland town leaders were concerned it may be an inappropriate distraction. The billboard featured two scantily-clad adult dancers, and one is seen next to a pole.

The strip club initially defended their design. But on Thursday Katrina Kulakova, public relations director for Electric Blue, confirmed they have agreed to take down the billboard and redesign it.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Kevin Nursick previously told NBC Connecticut that the DOT has no authority over billboard content, and that it’s a First Amendment issue. The DOT can only enforce issues such as the size or brightness of a billboard.

There was nothing technically wrong with the billboard.

Kulakova said it will take about a month to take down the old sign and replace it with another design.

Tolland Town Manager Steven Werbner posted the following message to the town website:

"For those residents following the Electric Blue sign controversy please be aware that the owner of the facility has agreed to remove the current sign. It may take approximately a month for him to design a replacement and have it installed. Knowing that the owner is aware of the sensitivity surrounding the current sign we are hopeful that any replacement will be visually more acceptable."

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