B
etween 5th and 6th Streets in Downtown Gilroy
is a Paseo connecting the Eigleberry parking lots
and Monterey Street shopping and restaurants.
Planning for two Paseos began when Al Pinheiro was
mayor. Mayor Don Gage was able to see this one
through to its current status. The process of purchasing
a building, demolishing it and doing the preliminary
work on the Paseo was handled by the City of Gilroy.
The completion of the Paseo is in the hands of
the Gilroy Historic Paseo Project, a public/private
partnership. The Project is headed up by former Mayor
Al Pinheiro. The project goal is to raise $100,000 to
complete this walk through 150 years of Gilroy history.
The funds have been used to paint a scenic mural on
the north side of the Paseo which will serve as a back-
drop for some of the seven panels that will line both
sides of the walkway. Local artist, Whitney Pintella,
recently completed the backdrop mural. The seven
panels have been designed and are waiting full funding
and construction. The panel topics are: Early Settlers,
Agriculture, Commerce, Hospitality, the Community,
the Garlic Story and the Cowboy Era. The panels vary
in size, with the largest one more than sixteen feet long.
Panel sponsorships are still available with a donation of
$10,000 to $15,000.
The Committee has also elected to line the walkway
with bricks. For $250, donators can have a business
or family name or special message inscribed on their
brick. All donations go through the Gilroy Foundation
(Paseo) and are fully tax-deductible.
The old marble tiles of the former storefront have
been maintained and can be seen at the entrance to the
Paseo from Monterey Street. The lighting, provided
by the City, mimics the old-fashioned lanterns on
Monterey Street.
Completion for the Paseo is
scheduled for October 2015.
Those interested in
volunteering on the
Committee, working
on the second Paseo
or donating to the
Gilroy Historic Paseo
Project should contact
Al Pinheiro at (408)
842-4619 or al@pin-
heiroinsurance.com
More information on
the Paseo Project is
available at:
facebook.com/
GilroyPaseo.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
JULY/ AUGUST 2015
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