LANCASTER, Pa. — Downtown Lancaster is about to get a little more colorful.
Installation of the ‘New Lancaster Rainbow’ façade will begin on the Christian Street Parking Garage next week, the city said Friday.
The large-scale, colorful tubing will adorn the façade of the newly constructed Christian Street Parking Garage at 148 N. Duke St.
The piece, made up of over 450 aluminum tubes, was designed by R&R Studios, fabricated in Elizabethtown by Quality Metal Works and powder coated in Ephrata by Barker’s Coating Solutions. Benchmark Construction will manage the installation, which is expected to take about two months, city officials said in a press release.
The installation of the façade will be the final piece of the Lancaster Parking Authority's development in Ewell Plaza, which includes the Christian Street Garage, the new home for the Lancaster Public Library, and a commercial space that is home to Busy Bodies, a new play space for children.
In total, the project marks a $35 million investment by the LPA and the CRIZ Authority in Ewell Plaza and the Central Business District, benefiting the local economy and adding to the overall vibrancy of Lancaster City.
"The New Lancaster Rainbow façade is the final piece of the Parking Authority's significant project in Ewell Plaza. I am thrilled it will soon come to life — adding color and intrigue to our city for all to enjoy,” said Larry Cohen, executive director of the Lancaster Parking Authority.
The Lancaster Rainbow piece was informed by multiple community engagement efforts between 2018 and 2021. The culmination of the engagement and the final design explanation of the “New Lancaster Rainbow” can be found online.
The façade colors focus on red tones, reminiscent of the ubiquitous red brick throughout Lancaster and includes accents such as yellow, green, and orange — the multiple colors symbolizing the diversity, inclusivity and welcoming nature of Lancaster City.
