Kingman OKs archway near Locomotive Park

The city of Kingman, Arizona, recently approved a contract for building the so-called Beale Street Gateway Arch that will be near Locomotive Park.

The contract with YESCO, based in Salt Lake City, will cost $177,736 in motel taxes, reported the Kingman Daily Miner. The chamber of commerce also contributed $35,000 to the project.

The newspaper reported:

“I think tonight we have discussed tourism as a key strategy in our economic development department’s plan, and I really think looking at the sign it is a place-making sign,” said Vice Mayor Jen Miles. “And it would invite people to come down to Beale Street, which by the way is an economic driver for this city. We get a lot of sales tax money from the businesses, the entrepreneurial, small businesses that are thriving now on Beale Street.” […]
The final archway is slotted to be constructed in proximity of the Locomotive Park on W. Beale Street, and will now include lighting and the phrase, “Heart of Route 66.” The contract states that the project will be completed by June 30.

Artist’s renderings of the arch may be seen on Page 388 of the city’s online agenda (large PDF file). The archway will stand more than 64 feet wide and almost 25 feet tall.

One city councilor voted against the project. Vicki Kress described it as “a luxury and not a necessity.”

Last month, the city considered several proposals for the gateway arch, including those that cost more than $250,000. At the time, city councilors were dissatisfied with the costs of the proposals and considered reopening bids for the project.

(Artist’s rendering of Beale Street Gateway Arch via city of Kingman agenda)

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