By Mike Hazlip—
The City of Citrus Heights is asking the public for input on three design concepts for a prominent gateway arch to be installed near the Roseville border, as part of an upcoming complete streets revitalization project on Auburn Boulevard that is projected to exceed $22 million.
Archway design concepts all feature two pillars, one on each side of the roadway, with a metal arch or cross beam with the words “Welcome to Citrus Heights.” The pillars are shown in rock or metal, with some designs reflecting existing public architectural elements at Rusch Park and Sylvan Corners.
The archway is planned to be located on Auburn Boulevard, near Whyte Avenue, roughly situated near California Burger.
Design concepts are featured in a video posted by the city last week. Conceptual renderings are also included in an online survey, which the city says it will use to help with design selection.
A series of questions asks viewers which design they favor, and takes into consideration issues such as resistance to graffiti and climbing. Ongoing maintenance costs are also a factor in the questionnaire.
The gateway arch idea was previously presented to the City Council in 2016, according to a report by The Sentinel at the time.
Specific costs for the gateway arch are not included in the city’s new survey, but a city engineer told the City Council in 2016 that he estimated an integrated archway and signal would run about $650,000. The engineer said the Rusch Park arch, which does not have an integrated light signal, cost about $210,000.
The gateway arch and signal is part of the city’s plan for Phase II of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Revitalization Project — a project authorized in 2005 which envisioned a revitalized and enhanced section of Auburn Boulevard, from Sylvan Corners to Interstate 80.
The project was broken up into two phases, with Phase I being completed in 2014. The first phase focused on the area of Auburn Boulevard from Sylvan Corners to just past Antelope Road and included undergrounding utility wires, adding bus pull-outs and nearly 10,000 feet of bike lanes, wider sidewalks, planting of 230 new street trees, and installing energy-efficient street lights.
The city recently received grant funds to begin Phase II, according to The Sentinel. The funds were awarded by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Over $11 million was awarded to Citrus Heights.
Click here to take the city’s survey regarding archway design.
