Brentwood’s downtown enhancement project currently underway will take a year to complete, but once it’s finished, the city’s historical district is expected to be transformed into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly center, and the city is asking the public to help enhance it.

As part of the downtown transformation, a decorative archway will be installed spanning Oak Street and Diablo Way, serving as an official entry point. The arch will feature a lighted, multi-layered depiction of Mount Diablo at the top, and the supporting columns will feature two bronze sculptures made of locks, hinges, keys and latches, which will serve as a salute to city’s strong agrarian culture, commerce and history.

The city is asking residents to donate hardware to be embedded in the gateway monument: hinges, locks, latches, keys, bolts, bars, fasteners, hooks, clamps and hasps from barn doors, pasture gates, feed lots, packing houses, backyards, gardens and corrals will be gladly accepted.

The city will keep a catalogue of the donors and the previous location of the hardware if that information is shared. Donated hardware will not be returned, as it will become a permanent piece of the original sculpture, which will be preserved in the new Community Center on Second Street.

“The city is very proud and excited to install the landmark archway as an opportunity to enhance the downtown by bringing a sense of identity, definition and announcement to public spaces in Brentwood’s historic district,” said Project Manager Gina Rozenski.

For more information or to make a donation, call Rozenski at 925-516-5405 or e-mail grozenski@ci.brentwood.ca.us.