What is the latest on Downtown signs & arches?

Aug 14, 2025: TIRZ #1 board releases the $700,000 set aside for wayfinding in its 2025-26 budget, 6-0. Approving the 2025-26 budget, the board asked to release "the $700,000 previously designated for the wayfinding project" from budgeted commitments and to add a $10,000 line for printing, binding and advertising.

How far back does this record of Downtown signs & arches go?

To Sep 17, 2019: Council hires Turner LandArchitecture for $85,100 to design downtown wayfinding signs. The storyline has 14 dated events in all.

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Storyline · 14 events · Sep 17, 2019 – Aug 14, 2025

Downtown wayfinding signs and gateway arches paid for by TIRZ #1 (2019-2025)

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What is the latest on Downtown signs & arches?: Aug 14, 2025: TIRZ #1 board releases the $700,000 set aside for wayfinding in its 2025-26 budget, 6-0. Approving the 2025-26 budget, the board asked to release "the $700,000 previously designated for the wayfinding project" from budgeted commitments and to add a $10,000 line for printing, binding and advertising. Read the event
How far back does this record of Downtown signs & arches go?: To Sep 17, 2019: Council hires Turner LandArchitecture for $85,100 to design downtown wayfinding signs. The storyline has 14 dated events in all. Read the event

In September 2019 the City Council hired Turner LandArchitecture for $85,100 to design a system of wayfinding signs for downtown Amarillo, to be paid for by the Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (TIRZ #1). The TIRZ #1 board raised the project's budget line to $400,000 in 2020, and in October 2021, when the lowest of three construction bids came in at $799,626.45, it added $125,000. The council awarded that contract to SSC Signs in November 2021. After materials delays and a change order that brought the project near $1,000,000, staff told the board in August 2022 that the contract was being terminated; no construction payments had been made. The board turned to lower-cost options and in February 2025 spent $1,260 on wayfinding banners, and in August 2025 released the $700,000 still set aside for the project. Separately, the board committed money in 2023 to restore the four Center City gateway arches; the council awarded a $250,000 contract to Skyrite Signage in July 2024, and the board approved a $19,000 change order for corroded anchor bolts in February 2025.

A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines

Sep 17, 2019 · Origin
Council hires Turner LandArchitecture for $85,100 to design downtown wayfinding signs
On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the City Council awarded a $85,100 professional services agreement to Turner LandArchitecture, LLC "to assist with wayfinding sign design and placement in the Downtown Amarillo area" for the Center City TIRZ #1 wayfinding project.^[1]
Andrew Freeman
- ✓ Verified
  The council's September 17, 2019 consent agenda included "Professional Services Agreement with Turner LandArchitecture LLC for Center City TIRZ #1 Wayfinding Project," $85,100.00, presented under Andrew Freeman, Director of Planning and Development Services. The consent agenda was approved 5-0 on a motion by Councilmember Freda Powell. ^[1]
Jun 11, 2020 · Precursor
Designer shows the TIRZ #1 board sign options at $19,000 to $28,000 per sign
Cleve Turner of Turner Landscape Architects presented four vehicular and pedestrian sign configurations meant to direct visitors to events and points of interest, at $19,000 to $28,000 per sign. Andrew Freeman said the wayfinding budget line had $240,000 and another $380,000 was needed; the board advised moving more money into the line with the next budget.^[2]^[3]
Andrew Freeman Laura Storrs
- Downtown & development
- Construction & streets
- ⚠ Sources differ
  Sources name different agencies as the source of the $75,000 grant to Center City used for the project.
  Reported value 1[3]
  Grantor
  Texas Historic Commission
  April 9, 2020 TIRZ No. 1 minutes ("the $75,000 grant from the Texas Historic Commission").
  Reported value 2[4][5][6]
  Grantor
  Texas Commission on the Arts
  December 2020 and October 2021 TIRZ No. 1 minutes and the November 9, 2021 council item.
- ✓ Verified
  In April 2020 Freeman said discussions were ongoing with Center City about possibly applying the $75,000 grant to administrative costs rather than physical signage. In October 2021 Koller said the grant "paid for consulting services"; the November 2021 council item lists it among the funding for the construction contract. ^[3]^[5]^[6]
- ✓ Verified
  A week after the TIRZ #1 presentation, on June 18, 2020, the designer presented the downtown wayfinding signs to the Board of Review for Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Downtown Design, with a map of possible sign locations. Board members raised concerns about vandalism, sign size, small type on the "ADa1" design and whether the map on sign "G" could be read from a vehicle; the designer said the ADa1 design cost "about 30% more" and that sign G was also meant for pedestrians, and a consultant said changing the font "would take away from the Art Deco feel." The designer said he was working with the City Traffic Department and GIS on placement. The board took no vote. ^[7]
Aug 13, 2020 · Related development
TIRZ #1 board's 2020-21 budget raises the wayfinding line to $400,000
Assistant City Manager Laura Storrs presented the 2020-21 TIRZ #1 budget with the Community Projects-Wayfinding line increased to $400,000 at the board's direction. The board approved it unanimously. At the same meeting staff reported a sign configuration had been chosen for 31 locations.^[8]
Laura Storrs
- Budget & taxes
- Downtown & development
- ✓ Verified
  Gus Trujillo moved and Tad Fowler seconded to approve the 2020/2021 budget as presented, with the Community Projects-Wayfinding item increased to $400,000; the motion passed unanimously. In December 2020 Koller said construction drawings for 30 signs were nearing completion, 23 with historical information, with installation projected for summer 2021. ^[8]^[4]
Sep 8, 2020 · Context
Planning manager tells the arts board the downtown project is about 32 signs, to launch in 2021
The City's Planning and Development Services manager briefed the Beautification and Public Arts Advisory Board on the wayfinding project, describing it as more "wayshowing" than "wayfinding," with approximately 32 signs of multiple sizes for motorists and pedestrians. She said the signs could launch in 2021, all unveiled at once, and that a prototype would be placed on the sidewalk near Hodgetown in the coming weeks.^[9]
- ✓ Verified
  The September 8, 2020 arts board minutes record that the project "is more 'wayshowing' than 'wayfinding,' consisting of approximately 32 signs of multiple sizes," that "The signage launch will potentially take place in 2021, with all signs unveiled in one full, dramatic onset," and that "A prototype will be placed on the sidewalk near Hodgetown in the next upcoming weeks." The TIRZ #1 board had been told in August 2020 that a sign configuration was chosen for 31 locations. ^[9]^[8]
  Signs approx
  32
Oct 28, 2021 · Trigger
Lowest sign bid is $799,626.45; TIRZ #1 board adds $125,000, unanimously
Emily Koller told the board $675,000 had been budgeted for 30 large and 7 smaller signs, that three bids were received, the lowest $799,626.45 and the other two over $1 million, and asked for a $125,000 budget amendment from the board's surplus. In May 2021 she had put the initial estimate at $642,000 for 32 large signs. The board approved the amendment unanimously.^[5]^[10]
- ✓ Verified
  Koller said the extra money would come from a budget surplus of about $600,000, that one bidder was local and over $1 million, that the City's sign shop would maintain the signs after a 7-year warranty, and that the City owns public improvements installed with TIRZ #1 funds. Jackson Latimer moved and Joseph Peterson seconded; the amendment passed unanimously. Koller said there were no alternative projects in line if it was not approved. ^[5]
Nov 9, 2021 · Related development
Council awards the $799,626.45 sign contract to SSC Signs and Lighting
On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the City Council awarded SSC Signs and Lighting a $799,626.45 contract to manufacture and install "a system of wayshowing/wayfinding signs for the downtown district," recommended by the TIRZ #1 board and funded with TIRZ #1 money, including a $75,000 grant received through Center City from the Texas Commission on the Arts.^[6]
- Downtown & development
- Contracts & procurement
- ✓ Verified
  The consent agenda, except an unrelated item pulled for separate consideration, was approved 5-0 on a motion by Councilmember Freda Powell seconded by Councilmember Eddy Sauer, with Mayor Ginger Nelson and Councilmembers Powell, Sauer, Howard Smith and Cole Stanley voting yes. ^[6]
May 5, 2022 · Related development
Sign materials delayed to September; contractor asks for more time
Koller told the board the wayfinding project had setbacks because sign materials were delayed until September and the contractor had requested a contract extension. A prototype was to be installed at 8th and Pierce around mid-June, with the other signs in the fall.^[11]
Andrew Freeman
- Downtown & development
- Contracts & procurement
Aug 11, 2022 · Peak
Staff tells TIRZ #1 board the sign contract is being terminated as costs near $1 million
Koller said staff, with the Legal and Purchasing departments, had determined the best option was to terminate the contract because of the length of time, communication issues and cost increases; with a change order the project budget was nearing $1,000,000. No payments had been processed because no work had been done; the design work had already been paid. Board members asked staff to bring back options of different scales, including phone-based and electronic wayfinding.^[12]
Andrew Freeman
- ✓ Verified
  The August 11, 2022 minutes record that staff "had determined the best option was to terminate the contract due to the length of time for the project, communication issues, and cost increases," and that "no payments had been processed since no work had been done." They do not give the change order's amount, the date of termination, or any statement from the contractor. No council action terminating the contract was found in the minutes read. ^[12]
- ✓ Verified
  The City's check register, which begins in July 2022, lists one payment to SSC Signs & Lighting LLC: $4,600.00 on April 6, 2023. The register does not identify the project the payment funded. ^[13]
  Total
  $4,600
  Payments
  1
  See the payments in the check register →
Oct 26, 2022 · Related development
TIRZ #1 board weighs rebidding, redesigning or pausing; members favor a smaller interim project
Koller presented examples from other cities and three options: rebid the existing design, hire a new designer (about $50,000 to $100,000, about what had been spent on the first design), or pause. Several members said a smaller-scale project with pedestrian maps would be a good interim step, and the chair asked staff to explore those options. No vote was taken.^[14]
Andrew Freeman
- Downtown & development
- Construction & streets
- ✓ Verified
  Koller said a new design contract would cost around $50,000 to $100,000, "which is how much we have already spent with the old design." Freeman attributed the construction cost to materials, modularity, size and custom design. Board member John Coffee said he thought the project was too early for the downtown's traffic. ^[14]
- ⚠ Sources differ
  Sources give different amounts for the original design work.
  Reported value 1[1]
  Amount
  $85,100
  Turner LandArchitecture agreement approved by the council in September 2019.
  Reported value 2[14]
  Range
  $50,000 to $100,000
  Koller's description to the board in October 2022 of what had been spent on the old design.
Jun 8, 2023 · Related development
TIRZ #1 board commits $200,000 to restore and light the Center City gateway arches
Kyle Schniederjan, Director of Capital Projects and Development Engineering, presented restoring the four Center City gateway arches and adding LED lighting. The board chose to keep the arches white, formed a work group, and Koller confirmed the board had committed $200,000; Schniederjan gave an estimated completion date of September 30, 2023. In July the work group settled on repainting, lighting, larger lettering and refurbishing the existing metal artwork.^[15]^[16]
- Downtown & development
- Construction & streets
- ✓ Verified
  The June 8, 2023 minutes record that a plaque by the arches said they should be yellow, that the board voted to keep them white so the LED lighting would stand out, and that the work group was H.R. Kelly, John Coffee, Beth Duke, Kashion Smith, Emily Koller, Kyle Schniederjan and Drew Brassfield. On July 13 Duke said a price would not be known until bids were received. ^[15]^[16]
Jul 13, 2023 · Related development
TIRZ #1 board agrees to pursue wayfinding banners on light poles
Koller and Center City director Beth Duke presented adding directional signage and maps to banners on downtown light poles as a cost-efficient way to expand wayfinding. The board agreed to continue with the banners and said it liked QR codes for sidewalks. The board asked to see a prototype banner in April 2024.^[16]^[17]
- Downtown & development
- Construction & streets
- ✓ Verified
  In November 2023 staff said the only two projects underway downtown were the wayfinding banners and the gateway arches. In August 2024 the board asked to see an estimate for the banners. ^[18]^[19]
Jul 23, 2024 · Related development
Council awards the $250,000 gateway arches rehabilitation contract to Skyrite Signage
On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the City Council awarded Skyrite Signage Company a $250,000 construction contract to prepare and coat the steel Center City gateway arches on Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce and Buchanan streets, including traffic control for removing and reinstalling them. The funding source was TIRZ No. 1.^[20]
- ✓ Verified
  The July 23, 2024 consent agenda was approved 5-0 on a motion by Don Tipps seconded by Tom Scherlen, with Cole Stanley, Josh Craft, Don Tipps, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson voting yes. The item lists the contact as Kyle Schniederjan and the item as budgeted. ^[20]
Feb 13, 2025 · Related development
TIRZ #1 board approves a $19,000 arches change order and $1,260 for wayfinding banners, 8-0
Assistant Director of Planning Drew Brassfield said a structural engineer found the anchor bolts at the arches' bases eroded; repairs cost $34,000, and with the $250,000 contract $15,000 under the $265,000 budget, $19,000 more was needed. The board approved Change Order No. 1, 8-0. Beth Duke then presented banners using existing light-pole hardware, printed by Skyrite at about $50 each for $1,260 in all, and the board approved the $1,260, 8-0.^[21]
- Downtown & development
- Construction & streets
- ✓ Verified
  Tom Warren II moved and Melinda Powell seconded the $19,000 Change Order No. 1; Dr. David Woodburn moved and Dr. Gary Jennings seconded the $1,260 for banners; each passed 8-0. Brassfield said the contracted amount was $250,000 against $265,000 budgeted and the bolt repairs cost $34,000. ^[21]
- ✓ Verified
  The City's check register lists two large payments to Skyrite Signage Company: $142,307.53 on December 26, 2024 and $143,340.47 on October 6, 2025, together $285,648.00, plus smaller payments from 2022 on. The register does not identify the project each payment funded, and the two amounts together exceed the $250,000 contract plus the $19,000 change order; no source read explains the difference. ^[13]^[20]^[21]
  Total
  $285,648
  Payments
  2
  See the payments in the check register →
Aug 14, 2025 · Resolution
TIRZ #1 board releases the $700,000 set aside for wayfinding in its 2025-26 budget, 6-0
Approving the 2025-26 budget, the board asked to release "the $700,000 previously designated for the wayfinding project" from budgeted commitments and to add a $10,000 line for printing, binding and advertising. John Coffee moved and Dr. Gary Jennings seconded; it passed 6-0.^[22]
Laura Storrs
- Budget & taxes
- Downtown & development
- ⚠ Sources differ
  Board minutes give different amounts for the money set aside for the wayfinding project.
  Reported value 1[21]
  Amount
  $795,000
  February 13, 2025 minutes ("The TIRZ Board had previously budgeted $795,000 for this project").
  Reported value 2[22]
  Amount
  $700,000
  August 14, 2025 minutes (release of "the $700,000 previously designated for the wayfinding project").
  Reported value 3[5]
  Amount
  $800,000
  October 2021 minutes ($675,000 initially budgeted plus the $125,000 amendment).
- ✓ Verified
  The August 14, 2025 minutes record the release as a board request in approving the budget and give no reason for it or any plan for further wayfinding signs. ^[22]

Sources

1.City Council Regular Meeting minutes, September 17, 2019 — City of Amarillo, Sep 17, 2019 · retrieved Oct 10, 2026primarySubject-authoredScanned minutes (image PDF, read visually). Item 3B, first reading of Ordinance No. 7811. The ordinance captions printed under Items 3B and 3C appear transposed (the budget caption is printed under No. 7812).
2.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, June 11, 2020 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Aug 13, 2020 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the August 13, 2020 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1581.
3.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, April 9, 2020 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Jun 11, 2020 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the June 11, 2020 meeting. Scanned minutes (OCR); quoted text checked against the page image. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1595.
4.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, December 10, 2020 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), May 13, 2021 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the May 13, 2021 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1531.
5.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, October 28, 2021 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Dec 13, 2021 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the December 13, 2021 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1543.
6.Amarillo City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, 2021-11-09 — City of Amarillo, Nov 9, 2021 · retrieved Oct 14, 2026primarySubject-authoredStates (OCR): "A motion was made to reappoint Councilmember Smith to the Amarillo Local Government Corporation for a for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022" and "A motion was made to reappoint Roy Urrutia to the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2022"
7.Board of Review for Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Downtown Design minutes, June 18, 2020 — Board of Review for Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Downtown Design (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Aug 13, 2020 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authored'published' is the date the board approved these minutes, as recorded in the August 13, 2020 minutes. CivicClerk posts two identical copies of these minutes; cited at the lower fileId.
8.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, August 13, 2020 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Oct 8, 2020 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the October 8, 2020 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1561.
9.Beautification and Public Arts Advisory Board minutes, September 8, 2020 — Beautification and Public Arts Advisory Board (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Nov 10, 2020 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the November 10, 2020 meeting. The filed copy is stamped "AMENDED 01/11/2021" and contains the amended and original versions.
10.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, May 13, 2021 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Jul 8, 2021 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the July 8, 2021 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1585.
11.Center City TIRZ #1 Board minutes, May 5, 2022 — City of Amarillo, May 5, 2022 · retrieved Oct 10, 2026primarySubject-authoredItem 4 (FY2021 audit) and Item 5 (plan update adding Civic Center and Santa Fe Depot language).
12.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, August 11, 2022 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Oct 26, 2022 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the October 26, 2022 meeting. CivicClerk also posts an identical copy as fileId 1569.
13.City of Amarillo check registers (pooled funds), consolidated — City of Amarillo (monthly check registers); consolidated by Khaotic Digital · download · coverage 2022-07 .. 2026-07 · retrieved Oct 18, 2026datasetPublished download replaces private individuals with their role (see Methodology).
14.Center City TIRZ #1 Board minutes, October 26, 2022 — City of Amarillo, Oct 26, 2022 · retrieved Oct 10, 2026primarySubject-authoredItem 7 (status of active incentive agreements).
15.Center City TIRZ #1 Board minutes, June 8, 2023 — City of Amarillo, Jun 8, 2023 · retrieved Oct 10, 2026primarySubject-authoredItem 4.A (FY2022 audit; extension through 2056 mentioned).
16.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, July 13, 2023 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Aug 10, 2023 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the August 10, 2023 meeting.
17.Center City TIRZ #1 Board minutes, April 11, 2024 — City of Amarillo, Apr 11, 2024 · retrieved Oct 10, 2026primarySubject-authoredItem 4.A.
18.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, November 9, 2023 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Mar 14, 2024 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the March 14, 2024 meeting.
19.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, August 8, 2024 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Feb 13, 2025 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the February 13, 2025 meeting.
20.Amarillo City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, 2024-07-23 — City of Amarillo, Jul 23, 2024 · retrieved Oct 14, 2026primarySubject-authoredScanned minutes (read with OCR). States: "Discuss Charter Review Citizen Committee recommendations and alternative proposals as requested by City Councilmembers. Dennis Hawkins, with Baker Tilly, presented the item."
21.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, February 13, 2025 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), May 8, 2025 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the May 8, 2025 meeting.
22.Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors minutes, August 14, 2025 — Center City Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors (via City of Amarillo CivicClerk), Sep 11, 2025 · retrieved Oct 22, 2026primarySubject-authoredApproved at the September 11, 2025 meeting.