Chicago Construction News staff writer
The iconic Little Village Arch, a gateway to Chicago’s “Mexican capital of the Midwest,” has been beautifully restored. Community members joined city officials last week to mark completion of the $1.25 million project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony beneath the landmark.
The restoration, funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF), was carried out by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) after the arch’s designation as a city landmark in 2022. The project involved repairing or replacing damaged stone, installing a new iron grille, fixing the roof tiles, updating stucco, and adding new lighting fixtures, according to CDOT spokesperson Erica Schroeder.
Constructed in 1990 by Mexican American Vietnam War veterans Ronald Baltierra and David Ramirez, and designed by Mexican architect Adrián Lozan, the archway stands above the 26th Street business corridor. The clock, a gift from the Mexican government in 1991, was also repaired as part of the restoration.
The arch features two dome towers and a metal banner reading “Bienvenidos a Little Village,” inspired by traditional Mexican architectural elements. Baltierra, reflecting on the project, shared, “I put my heart and soul into building this. Although I was born in America, it was deeply meaningful for me to create something that honors my heritage.”
