Restoration project set to begin on downtown arches

The Center City Gateway Arches Restoration Project will begin Saturday (Sept. 21) at four locations. The project will greatly enhance the Center City Gateway Arches, which have become a well-known Amarillo feature as motorists enter and leave downtown.

The project, which will include installation of a wide array of LED lights, is funded through a collaboration of the City of Amarillo (COA), Center City and Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 1 (TIRZ). The first phase of the project begins Saturday with the removal of the arches. Installation of the arches with new LED lights will be announced at a future date.

“We are grateful to the city of Amarillo and the Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone for their partnership to make these gateway arches once again a welcoming symbol to our historic downtown district,” said Center City Executive Director Beth Duke.

The gateway arches began with an architectural design competition in 2000. Center City raised funds for four arches. Center City then gifted the arches to the city for continuing maintenance.

The restoration project includes LED lights which will allow the arches to display a wide array of lights - for example, red, white and blue lights during the July 4 holiday and red and green lights during the Christmas season.

The restoration project will temporarily impact traffic. Motorists entering and leaving downtown to the south will encounter lane closures. Traffic on Buchanan, Pierce, Fillmore and Taylor streets will be reduced to one lane Saturday during the initial phase. Work will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday and continue through the afternoon, weather permitting. Motorists can expect delays and are advised to seek alternative routes Saturday.