Salinas Rotary Club Welcome Arch Launched
Salinas Rotary Club has launched a major project in downtown Salinas. The 70-foot welcome Arch will hang over the main street, welcoming guests and locals to the downtown area.
After seven years of planning and fundraising, the Salinas Rotary Arch project finally came to a successful close. Countless hours of designing, engineering, and fabricating culminated in a long morning that marked the Arch’s unveiling. County residents will celebrate April 16, 2021, as a beautiful day in Salinas history as an iconic city landmark came to life.
The Welcome Arch project has been on the cards for quite some time. The idea was to make the downtime a symbol of Salinas. Work began seven years ago, as Salina Rotary Club’s management team partnered with the city under their downtown vibrancy plan.
The Arch went in on the 200 blocks and will now welcome people when they drive into Downtown. The project will symbolize that Salinas welcomes guests into the city while boosting Downtown’s vibrancy. This project was part of the city’s strategy to redo a sign that existed on the 300 blocks for a couple of decades. City constructors took down the initial sign during some construction work and never replaced it.
The Salinas Rotary Club, also known as the Downtown Club, is the originating rotary club in Monterey County. This service organization typically comprises business people or other individuals who want to do good for the community. Salinas Rotary Club has done multiple local and international projects.
Construction Costs
While speaking on Teck Talk, Luis Alvarez, Alvarez Technology’s CEO, mentioned that the project cost Salinas Rotary Club close to $300,000. The rotary club raised a big chunk of this amount while the city also made considerable contributions. Luiz Alvarez was the president of the Rotary Club when the project began.
The Arch project is one of a kind in the Salinas Rotary club’s history. This is the first time that seven different presidents have overseen a single project. The rotary club change presidents yearly, and the project has lasted seven years. Salinas Rotary Club was dedicated to this project to achieve something big, prominent, and bold in the downtown area. The idea was to ensure that the Arch lasts throughout Downtown’s lifetime.
Local architect Peter Casaban designed the meticulous Arch. His father’s architectural firm, founded back in 1949, has contributed to many community projects.
A group of Rotarians planted the seed in the fall of 2014 and can now enjoy the fruits of their labor. The City of Salinas had the vision to make Downtown a true destination for locals and tourists. The club, on its part, desired to incorporate a nostalgic landmark that embodied the county’s culture. The result was an elevated project that showed support to downtown businesses.
Centennial Celebrations
Salinas Rotary Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the Arch’s launch will be the first of many celebrations. The Downtown club takes pride in being a service club. Since its existence, Salinas has been at the heart of multiple service projects, making donations to projects every year. Regardless of their yearly projects, they spared funds each year towards the Arch project and oversaw its conclusion.
As more downtown businesses become prosperous, funded projects and local causes will receive more donations. While Salinas Rotary Club experienced many challenges along the way, they look forward to better days and tasks ahead.
Salinas Councilor Steve McShane recently mentioned that the Arch was part of the public and private investments witnessed in the area. The Arch, which is at its peak, represents seven years of planning. Such assets will improve access and beauty in the area, according to McShane. Contact us for more information.
