The proposed FYE 2027 Urban Renewal Area capital improvement program includes pavement rehabilitation on Wallace Street in the Empire Urban Renewal District; pavement rehabilitation on South 4th Street and South 5th Street in the Downtown Urban Renewal District; and sidewalk, curb, gutter, and accessibility improvements along Commercial Avenue in the Downtown Urban Renewal District.

The proposed projects are intended to address deteriorated pavement and sidewalk conditions, improve accessibility and roadway safety, extend the service life of existing infrastructure, and support bicycle travel where it can reasonably be accommodated within the existing roadway. The South 4th Street project will include dedicated bicycle lanes in both directions, while the Wallace Street and South 5th Street projects will retain their existing parking configurations and will not include new bicycle facilities.

The projects have a combined estimated cost of $1,077,675, including 15% contingencies. Of this amount, $641,250 will be funded through the Downtown Urban Renewal Area and $436,425 will be funded through the Empire Urban Renewal Area. If approved, staff will proceed with the necessary engineering, design, procurement, and bidding processes, with construction anticipated primarily in spring 2027.

If it pleases the Agency, approve staff’s proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Empire and Downtown Urban Renewal Area Road and Sidewalk Improvement Projects.

As part of the Urban Renewal Agency’s continuing efforts to improve public infrastructure within the City’s Urban Renewal Areas, staff routinely evaluates pavement and sidewalk conditions and identifies locations in need of repair or replacement. Projects are prioritized based on existing infrastructure conditions, accessibility needs, transportation benefits, available funding, and readiness to proceed.  Staff also presented the following projects at a joint work session with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Fact Finding Committee and Parks Commission.  

The proposed projects will rehabilitate three roadway corridors and replace a deteriorated section of sidewalk. In addition to pavement and sidewalk replacement, the work will include ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb and gutter improvements, replacement pavement striping, and dedicated bicycle lanes where the existing roadway configuration can accommodate them. Based on these considerations, staff recommends completing the following projects during FYE 2027.

Wallace Street Between Ocean Boulevard and Newmark Avenue:

The Wallace Street project, located in the Empire Urban Renewal District, is proposed as a two-inch grind-and-inlay pavement replacement project. The work will include removing the deteriorated upper two inches of the existing roadway surface and replacing it with a new two-inch lift of pavement. This work will restore the travel surface, improve drivability, and extend the service life of this section of Wallace Street.

The project will also include the installation of two ADA-compliant curb ramps and replacement of the associated pavement striping. No new bicycle facilities are proposed as part of this project because the roadway currently accommodates on-street parking on both sides.

South 5th Street Between Kruse Avenue and Lockhart Avenue and South 4th Street Between Kruse Avenue and Lockhart Avenue:

The South 4th Street and South 5th Street projects, located in the Downtown Urban Renewal District, are proposed as two-inch grind-and-inlay pavement replacement projects. The work will include removing the deteriorated upper two inches of the existing roadway surfaces and replacing them with new two-inch lifts of pavement. The improvements will provide smoother and more consistent travel surfaces, address existing pavement deterioration, and extend the useful life of both roadways. Associated pavement striping will be replaced following paving.

No new bicycle facilities are proposed along South 5th Street because the roadway currently accommodates on-street parking on both sides.

The South 4th Street project will include two dedicated bicycle lanes within the project limits, with one bicycle lane provided in each direction. These lanes will improve bicycle access through this portion of the Downtown Urban Renewal District and will be incorporated as part of the final pavement-striping plan.

Commercial Avenue Between North 4th Street and North 5th Street:

The Commercial Avenue project, also located in the Downtown Urban Renewal District, will replace the existing sidewalk along the south side of Commercial Avenue between North 4th Street and North 5th Street. The project is intended to address deteriorated pedestrian infrastructure and provide a safer, more accessible, and more consistent pedestrian route through this portion of downtown.

In addition to sidewalk replacement, the work will include new curb and gutter and the installation of one ADA-compliant curb ramp. Associated improvements necessary to connect the new work with the adjoining sidewalk and roadway infrastructure will also be completed as part of the project.

The proposed road and sidewalk improvement projects have a combined estimated cost of $1,077,675, including 15% contingencies.

Empire Urban Renewal Area:

The Wallace Street project has an estimated cost of $436,425, which includes a 15% contingency, and is proposed to be funded through Empire Capital Projects Fund (fund 58), Empire Street Improvement Project, G/L #58-945-530-3121.

Downtown Urban Renewal Area:

The South 4th Street and South 5th Street projects have a combined estimated cost of $468,750, which includes a 15% contingency, and is proposed to be funded through Downtown Capital Projects Fund (fund 57), Street Infrastructure, G/L #57-940-530-3124.

The Commercial Avenue sidewalk project has an estimated cost of $172,500, which includes a 15% contingency, and is proposed to be funded through Downtown Capital Projects Fund (fund 57), Sidewalk Projects, G/L #57-940-530-3108.