Revitalizing an iconic Lodi landmark
City council briefed on plans to refurbish Lodi Arch
The Lodi City Council was briefed on the city’s plans to refurbish the Lodi Arch during Tuesday’s shirtsleeve session.
“It’s basically an icon that Lodi has been able to enjoy,” Public Works Director Charlie Swimley said. “It’s one of our city symbols, and it’s worth giving it a little TLC so that future residents can enjoy the arch.”
According to Swimley, the plastering on the arch, located on Pine Street in Downtown Lodi, has started to crack and is in need of repair. In order to address this issue, city staff has arranged for replastering the arch to be a community project on Love Lodi Day on April 14, and volunteers are being sought.
Some of the light fixtures on the arch also need work, and Swimley said that the work will be completed by the city. Plans to restore the gold bear that sits atop the arch are also under consideration. According to Swimley, Tony Segale, the artist who initially put the gold leaf on the bear, has offered to evaluate the condition of the leaf and recommend any repairs that may be needed.
The arch will also be pressure washed and painted over the summer.
“It will require us to do a little more homework to find out a schedule that would work for our city crews and any donated professional work. Over the summer is a good time to do those type of activities,” Swimley said.
A council member has spoken with a painting company that has expressed interest in donating the paint and some labor for the refurbishment and the city is currently in discussions with the business, Swimley said.
Swimley added that painting the arch is a little more involved then one would think. Parts of Pine and Sacramento streets would have to be temporarily closed and the city would have to coordinate with Union Pacific Railroad, which operates the tracks just east of the arch. Workers would also have to mask all the lights that are underneath the arch and on top of the arch and make sure that it is ready for paint.
“It will be a bit of work but between city forces and potential donations of professional labor. I think we could get it done at an affordable price,” Swimley said.
According to Swimley, city staff evaluated the condition of the wood timbers inside the arch and the wood is in good condition, so there are no immediate concerns of structural issues.
“We think it just needs some cosmetic work, and we feel that if we can dress it up and get it to a condition where, for the next 15 to 20 years, we can enjoy a freshly painted arch.”
The price of refurbishing the arch depends on donations, but Swimley estimates it will cost the city between $5,000 and $10,000 for paint and staff time.
According to Swimley, the Lodi Arch was originally constructed in 1907, one year after Lodi became an incorporated city. The purpose of the arch was to provide a formal entrance to the Tokay Carnival, which was Lodi’s first Grape Festival.
The arch is constructed of wood timber and plaster. It was reconstructed in 1956 and has since been declared a California registered historical landmark by the State Office of Historical Preservation, Swimley said.