ESCONDIDO (KGTV) - Driving into Escondido will soon have a much different feel. Construction is underway to build what leaders say will be an icon of the city.
Spanning 108 ft wide, a new arch will be lifted 40 ft above the intersection of Grand Avenue and Centre City Parkway.
"Escondido is just the hidden jewel of North County; in fact, Escondido means hidden valley and beautiful hidden valley. We're starting to live up to that more than I've ever seen," said Dan Forster.
Forster owns Design Moe Kitchen & Bath and has watched new blood elevate the historic downtown over the last ten years, including restaurants, breweries, and new businesses.
Also vice president of the Escondido Downtown Business Association, Forster says they've wanted a grand sign like this for years, but he says it was cost-prohibitive.
Forster says that changed with an anonymous $1 million donation made to the Escondido Charitable Foundation for the arch.
"There's no money that's being taken out of the city budgets to pay for this, it's just one big beautiful sign," said Forster.
Crews will raise the sign on March 3. On March 12, the city will celebrate the Grand arch with entertainment and lighting of the new sign starting at 6 p.m.
