Drivers will notice a large archway later this summer to signify they’re heading into Red Deer’s downtown.
The archway will be placed over the road at Little Gaetz Avenue and near 52nd Street.
Charity Dyke, downtown co-ordinator for the City of Red Deer, said that the new archway will be a significant landmark to entering the downtown.
The archway will be decorated with brick on the bottom and its top feature will be decorated with lights and have wording that reads “downtown.”
The archway will also look similar in appearance to the street markers along the road.
Graham Barclay, executive director of Red Deer Downtown Business Association, anticipates the new archway will go up in August as construction continues along Little Gaetz.
“It’s going to be a great focal point,” he said.
The existing entrance feature located in a pocket park within the same area will be taken down in early May, Barclay said.
The archway cost is built into the overall Little Gaetz Avenue Revitalization project.
The revitalization project involves repaving the streets, adding paving stones, old-fashioned street lights, more trees and sidewalk enhancements. Council approved $4.7 million to complete this project in 2012 rather than 2013 as originally planned.
The total cost of the project is pegged at $9 million.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com