DOWNTOWN MORGAN HILL GATEWAY ARCH

Over the last 40+ years, Downtown Morgan Hill entryway signage has been included in several of the City’s Downtown Plans, however infrastructure and funding challenges have since delayed any projects. In January 2025 the DMHID Board of Directors voted to investigate the viability and cost of constructing a gateway arch. After several design iterations, the Board approved a Design by E2 Architects which is timeless and representative of Morgan Hill without specifically highlighting the past, present, or future. As the Downtown District continues to grow, the gateway arch will act as a marker to signify the original historic area.

  • The Gateway Arch will be located at the intersection of Monterey Road and Main Avenue. The footings of the arch will be installed at the sidewalk area in front of Wells Fargo and on the opposite side of the sidewalk area in front of Chase Bank. The footings will be located in and around the planter boxes currently located on both sides. The height of the arch will be constructed so as not to interfere with traffic signals, semi-truck clearance, or driver visibility.

  • The design of the Gateway Arch is meant to be timeless and immediately identifiable of Morgan Hill via the El Toro Mountain silhouette. The El Toro piece of the design will be double sided and constructed from laser-cut Corten steel. The front of the mountain will spell out "Downtown Morgan Hill" in metal channel letters backlit for nighttime visibility. The remainder of the arch will be constructed out of a bronze frame, mesh columns with infilled stone and uplighting, and a base to depict donor tiles/bricks.

  • The anticipated cost of the gateway arch project is $475,000. The DMHID Board has committed to fund $250,000 of the project cost, with the intention to fundraise the remaining cost. Maintenance of the arch is expected to be minor as the materials selected are weatherproof and the electrical has been designed to be easy to access and replace as needed.

  • The capital campaign to raise fundraising dollars launched on January 1, 2026. While the completion of the gateway arch is projected for Winter 2026, the estimated construction and implementation date of the arch will be determined by the fundraising timeline.

Be A Part of the Gateway Arch

Founder’s Circle

$50,000 and Above
Target: $150,000 | 50% of Goal

• Campaign anchors and lead investors
• Establish credibility, momentum, and confidence
• Prominent recognition and legacy-level impact

Community Giving

Up to $2,499
Target: $30,000 | 10% of Goal

• Residents, service clubs, nonprofits, advocates
• Encourages community ownership and pride
• Collective impact through participation

Leadership Circle

$25,000-49,999

• Campaign Supporters and Community influencers
• Establish credibility, momentum, and confidence
• Recognition and Community impact

Major Gifts Circle

$10,000 – $24,999
Target: $75,000 | 25% of Goal

• Regional and local business leaders
• Demonstrates broad confidence in the project
• Highly visible public support

Business Gifts

$2,500 – $9,999
Target: $45,000 | 15% of Goal

• Downtown and regional businesses
• Tangible investment in Downtown identity
• Opportunity for meaningful business recognition

Project Donors

Dan McCranie

Rotary Club of Morgan Hill

Leadership Circle

Toray Advanced Composites

Larry Kent

Major Gifts

Founder’s Circle

Dan Keith

Edward Boss Prado Foundation

Leadership Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill Downtown Association

Business Gifts

South County Farmworker Families

Maria Cid

Rich and Rosy Bergin

The Ford Store Morgan Hill

Rosy’s at the Beach

Mark and Sue Turner