Los Banos city officials held the official ribbon cutting ceremony April 25 for the new Los Banos Downtown Arch on Sixth Street near Highway 152.

The planning of the arch dates back many years when the late Sharon Siva, Executive Director of the Los Banos Downtown Association and Stacy Souza-Elms, Community and Economic Development Director, discussed the idea and presented it to the city council.

The design and cost of the arch went through many revisions.

Creekside Junior High School band was invited to come perform during the ceremony and band director, John Spankowski composed a song that the band played to commemorate the event.

Los Banos Interim City Manger, Gary Brizzee, led the ceremony as many spoke and congratulated everyone involved with the arch. Representatives from State Assembly Esmeralda Soria’s office and State Senator Anna Caballero’s office presented proclamations to the city.

According to Souza-Elms, the cost of the arch from the general fund was $588,272.49.

The Creekside Junior High Color Guard also performed during the ceremony.
Los Banos Mayor Michael Amabile cuts the ribbon commemorating the official completion of the Los Banos Downtown Arch. Gene Lieb/The Express
Stacy Souza-Elms, left, stands with Los Banos Downtown Association President David Sousa while holding a gift from P&F Metals and Vanir Construction who built the arch. The metal duck is the cutout from the actual arch.
Members of Creekside Junior High perform during the ceremony.
The Westside Express