City Council is making an effort to support the NIU Huskies in all the ways it can, starting with some changes downtown.

At Monday’s meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve a sign on the building at the corner of First Street and Lincoln Highway. The sign would support the council’s idea of a “communiversity” relationship between the city of DeKalb and NIU. From August through May, the sign will feature Huskie sports schedules, said principal planner Derek Hiland. In June and July, the sign will feature a different mural supporting the Huskies.

Hiland said when he presented the idea to the planning and zoning committee, he was met with complete approval and the committee loved the idea of supporting the “communiversity.” Hiland is still looking for something to put on the wall during the summer months and is open to hearing ideas from both the community and the university.

“Should the intercollegiate athletic department come up with an idea, we’ll put a mural up to coincide with the communiversity goal,” Hiland said. “I think it’s smart to embrace the communiversity idea even in the off-season.”

Christian Spears, deputy director of athletics, said his department welcomes the idea of this sign.

“It’s appropriate to continue to support our winning Huskies,” Spears said. “It was our intent to provide space for this kind of support.”

Second ward alderman Bill Finucane said the sign would be very beneficial for the city as well as the Huskies.

“Students are an important part of the economic welfare of DeKalb,” Finucane said. “We want to make them feel welcome here.”

The other sign change discussed will occur today, when a new sign will be put up at Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology, 145 N. Third St. Owner Tom Rogers said now is the time for the new sign. The old one has not functioned since 1991.

The building was opened in 1949 as the DeKalb Theater, and was dubbed the “The Theater of Tomorrow.” Debutantes opened its doors in 2008.

Rogers said the new sign will be a welcome change for the downtown area. He will hold a grand relighting ceremony in front of the school at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

“The best days of DeKalb are yet to come,” Rogers said. “I want everyone to come out so every night we can stand together and believe that.”