Paseo Design Group is working to secure funding for an interpretive eight-panel art installation, landscaping and other additions, according to the group’s chairman and former Mayor Al Pinheiro.
Pinheiro is spearheading fundraising with more than $45,000 raised as of press time with the goal of reaching roughly $100,000 for downtown’s historical paseo, which opened to the public in July.
Pinheiro said Paseo Design Group working alongside Gilroy-based Articulate Solutions in conception of the artistic direction for the panels through a history of Gilroy theme, as well representatives from the local arts community.
The city announced the opening of the Paseo, paid for through the City’s public facilities impact fund, to the public prior to installation of the artistic and pedestrian enhancements.
Pinheiro, who brought the project to fruition during his mayoral term, said the first step is installing the first panel—the first with a historical theme—then he and Mayor Don Gage will go door-to-door to show organizations what a completed work looks like.
“The bottom line is that our goal right now is to put funds together for these eight panels and the landscaping,” Pinheiro said. “That’s what we’re working on.”
The paseo will give “a reason for people to come down” Pinheiro said. “Even kids from school classes can take a walk through the history of Gilroy.”
Pinheiro said that it will be “another nice downtown feature” but that the focus right now needs to be not just how beautiful the paseo will be, but its function in providing parking for nearby businesses and pedestrians and tourists.
“This is a much needed thing in our downtown,” Pinheiro said. “That is a nice thing for businesses around there to get plenty of parking and to get to their business. That’s the reason for the paseo.”
Gilroy Development Center Manager Lee Butler said the estimated $1 million cost for the paseo includes property purchase, pre-purchase due diligence, the purchase itself and pre reconstruction and demolition plans, demolition and reconstruction of adjacent walls at 7451 and 7455 Monterey Street affected by the demolition.
“There was a substantial cost,” Butler said, adding, “It’s certainly more than what the City anticipated spending when the property was purchased. There were some unexpected circumstances that we came across ” including cost of structural reinforcement of adjacent walls on the north and south sides that added up to what he estimated at $380,000 to create a safe passageway.
According to Butler, design was put in place to ensure the city wasn’t precluding anything the Paseo Design Group was wanting to pursue.
“The design was developed in close coordination with the Paseo Design Group,” Butler said. “It’s really a design that we’ve been working with the Paseo Design Group so they can see their vision come to fruition.”
Butler said it will be “an awesome looking little paseo where it’s not only having the convenience of it as a pass through from the back parking lot to front.
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Turner said the paseo has already created another access point from the parking lot on Eigleberry Street to the downtown businesses on Monterey Street.
“That alone is great benefit, but upon completion, the community will experience a beautiful Paseo that artistically highlights Gilroy’s historical significance,” Turner said.
“it will be nice and pleasing to the eye,” he said.
Leilana Hines was downtown Aug. 20 from Honolulu, HI and said the liked the tiles and that the lamps reminded her of a retro look growing up in southern California.
“I can see them having musical performances outside,” Hinds said.
In addition to Pinheiro dual emphasis on the parking component of the project, there’s more in store.
Butler said staff has been working alongside Gage to try and get the council to approach an unpaved property purchase behind the paseo for future discussions with the landowner about lease negotiations. The purchase would provide additional parking, he said.
Pinheiro said the first panel—to be mounted on a metal frame and installed—could be completed in as early as within the next few weeks.
More information
For more information on Gilroy’s historical pedestrian paseo, visit cityofgilroy.org.
1. Cowboy
2. Commerce
3. Hospitality
4. Community
5. Garlic
6. Early settlers
7. Agriculture
8. Thank you to sponsors
Fundraising goal: $100,000
Funds raised: $46,000
Source: Former Mayor and Paso Design Group chair Al Pinheiro
