City of Montgomery Monument

Approach

The City of Montgomery commissioned a 50-foot-tall gateway monument and landscaping at the new south-end roundabout, transforming an overlooked highway overpass into a proud, eye-catching entrance into the city. MA Design, in collaboration with Human Nature and the City, led a thoughtful design process to create the monument, grounded in research and context.

Our team studied the city’s architectural styles and historic features to guide material selection and form—ultimately designing a monument that reflects Montgomery’s identity and evolution. Also designed to complement a mixed-use urban development at the south end of the city, the iconic structure symbolizes Montgomery’s shift from a tradition-loving small town to an even more vibrant, growth-oriented community.

An 8-foot-tall, color-programmable lantern crowns the structure as a warm beacon at night to represent the city’s “glowing future”, with different colors during seasonal events. The word “Montgomery” is suspended between the monument’s four masonry piers, oriented to frame a direct view toward downtown for a split second as one travels around the circle. The interior of the tower is painted white as a contrasting backdrop to the signage, while the exterior directs attention toward the city’s downtown. The traffic circle enhancements, including landscaping and the monument tower, act as a physical nod to the city’s slogan: “A Charming Past, A Glowing Future.”