The Dayton Enhancement Committee (DEC), dedicated to beautifying the city of Dayton, met at the Dayton Community Center on Monday evening, August 12, to celebrate the completion of the Dayton Broncos and Stars Underpass Project at the SH 321 underpass. The project, whose goal was to transform the once-blighted area into a welcoming gateway to the city, culminated with the installation of the final Bronco sculpture and star plaque last month.
Former Dayton Mayor Caroline Wadzeck, who played a key role in the project alongside the DEC, led the session with City Manager Kim Judge, who thanked donors, city staff and committee members who contributed to the project’s success.
“If you remember the underpass before, the walls looked terrible. The tops of both walls and the areas between the rock slabs were covered in black soot and mold, and it was really a disgrace,” Wadzeck noted.
She stressed that this reconstruction was necessary given the thousands of vehicles that drive through the underpass every day.
The project began in 2017, when Wadzeck and others first discussed their vision with a local TxDOT engineer. Despite initial setbacks, including the engineer’s departure in 2019 and prohibitively high bids to clean and repaint the walls, the committee persevered. In 2020, they rallied support from key citizens and organizations, prompting TxDOT to inspect and subsequently repair the wall and walkways.
In 2021, after a hazardous materials accident, TxDOT was forced to power wash and repaint the walls, bringing the project one step closer to completion. The final phase of the underpass improvements included the installation of Bronco sculptures and star plaques designed by Kimmy Wood and supported by the Dayton Rotary Club and other generous donors.
The impressive Bronco sculptures are each 1.95 m high and 2.80 m long and resemble a herd of wildly running broncos.
“They are big and incredibly impressive,” Wadzeck said enthusiastically, adding jokingly that she and Susan Simmons helped with the installation.
The sculptures are designed to last at least 30 years and develop a rusty patina that enhances their beauty over time.
Eight star plaques bearing the names of the project’s donors are firmly anchored in the concrete next to the Bronco sculptures. Although the sculptures are built to withstand the elements, Wadzeck reported an incident in which a Bronco was hit by a car shortly after it was installed. Fortunately, the sculpture was undamaged and was promptly reinstalled.
Looking back on the project, Wadzeck expressed how proud she was of the transformation.
“I now drive through the underpass every time I come into town. I love it,” she said.
DEC committee members recognized for their work on the project included DEC Chair Susan Simmons, Alan Conner, Cynthia Miller, Betty Tankersley, Tara Hanel, Ken Davis, Tammie Alexander, Kathleen Dwyer and Randel Arnold.
Donors for the generous support included the Youngquist family of Barbers Hill, Texas (donors of nine Broncos), Sterling Funeral Home (Chuck and Kimberly Mulkey), Susan Simmons, the Dayton Rotary Club (represented by club president Stephanie Montgomery), River Ranch (represented by one of its owners, Eddie Gray), Precision Lawn, Pace Stancil Funeral Home (represented by Betty Tankersley), Gene and Cindy McDowell, Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant, Juan Carranco State Farm, Dr. John and Jessica Johnson, Frontier Waste Solutions (represented by Terri Woodson), Festus Plumbing (owned by Rodney Cullars and Haley Kelly), the Charles Windham family, Bronco Tire Company (owned by David and Daniel Sanchez), Randall and Jackie Brock, Bear Plumbing (owned by Jimmy and Samantha Cullars), Randel and Karen Arnold, and Dr. Luke Chachere and Dr. Lucas Chachere from the Chachere Veterinary Clinic was recognized.
“The Enhancement Committee and the City of Dayton would like to thank you for gifting our citizens these wonderful art installations. Your generous donation and your cooperation with the community means the world to us. You know there is nothing more satisfying than seeing an idea become a reality, and this project is now officially complete,” said Wadzeck.
