Work begins on Castroville’s new arch upgrade

CASTROVILLE, Calif. (KION) - A familiar landmark in Castroville is getting a major upgrade as the town’s iconic “Artichoke Center of the World” sign is set to be replaced. Thanks to a $488,000 grant from the state’s Clean California program, the long-awaited project is finally becoming a reality.

"The structure that it's on is a bit old and weathered and a little rusty, and the sign has seen better days. And they had a preliminary design to replace the sign with. But they never had the funding to do it," Corby Kilmer, Senior Landscape Architect, Clean CA Beautification Project Coordinator, said.

The original structure, weathered and rusting, had been in place for decades.

While the community had previously developed a design concept, funding was never available until the launch of the Clean California initiative three years ago.

"The governor came up with the Clean California program, which is a really remarkable, one of a kind beautification program, something that Caltrans has never done before or had funding to do," Kilmer said.

Created under Governor Gavin Newsom and funded through the state’s general fund, the Clean California initiative focuses exclusively on beautification projects in underserved communities.

It cannot be used for traditional road repairs like pothole filling, but instead supports community enhancement and job creation.

Caltrans says the new sign will keep the same message and a similar look, but with a design that fits better with the town’s aesthetic.

"The new sign has much more of, a bit of, Western Victorian feel to it, which goes with the two historic buildings that are on either corner and throughout the downtown of Castroville," Kilmer said.

The final version features a classic black and gold color palette with hand-painted artichokes and decorative scrollwork that aligns with Castroville’s historic downtown architecture.

The community was involved throughout the process, giving input on color schemes, materials, and design elements.

Everybody working on this job, the same fabricators, the same installer, the traffic control guy, are all local.

"Caltrans or Castroville specific, pretty much small businesses. So that's been a really cool bonus. It's created a lot of jobs in the community. So yeah, that cost includes," Kilmer said.

"It will be a good thing, because a new sign will bring more views here to our beloved Castro, which is a place that has given me life for many years, life, work," Kilmer said.

"The funding had to be used specifically for doing projects in underserved communities and doing things that were about beautification, not about filling potholes. The money can't be used for anything else but beautification," Kilmer said.

In addition to a fresh new look, the sign’s structure will be made more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

"We really saw an opportunity to get those posts sort of out of the traveled way where pedestrians are, to give it sort of a wider span to make sure that, you know, it wasn't in the way of people walking or bikes or trucks and stuff turning the corner," Kilmer said.

Construction activity this week is focused on Preston Street, where workers are installing support posts that will hold the new sign.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for July 10 to celebrate the completion of the project and honor the community’s role in bringing this vision to life.