Vallejo gets federal money for 'streetscape' downtown

Vallejo gets federal money for 'streetscape' downtown
By Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 03/15/2009

Four blocks in Vallejo's downtown may get new trees, sidewalks, street lighting, pavement and other features thanks to the federal stimulus package, city officials say.

The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made $1.6 million available to implement a small part of the downtown "streetscape" plan, accordding to Public Works Director Gary Leach.

The stimulus money will be combined with nearly $580,000 in other sources of money, creating a pool of $2.1 million for the work, Leach said.

City Engineer David Kleinschmidt said the city is proposing to spend the money in the following blocks:

* Virginia Street from Sonoma Bouelvard to Sacramento Street.


* Marin Street from Virginia and Georgia streets.


* Sacramento Street between Georgia and Maine streets.

Work on each block is expected to cost $1 million, but Leach said efforts will be made to trim the costs and do more than two blocks.

Janet Sylvain, Central Core Restoration Corp. board president, said she's encouraged the city will spend stimulus money downtown.

"We're looking for any new construction downtown to signify it's alive and well," Sylvain said.

The city has been working on the plan's design for more than a year; it has held several public meetings and also met with downtown property owners, Kleinschmidt said.

No stimulus money will be spent on Georgia Street since those downtown blocks have undergone past improvements, Kleinschmidt added.

Originally the city was to get money for the downtown improvements from the Triad housing / commercial project, but that development has not moved forward.

A landscape consultant is evaluating downtown trees. Some may be removed if they are ill, in decline or incompatible with the new improvements, officials said.

The downtown improvement project encompasses a 14-block area.

Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at (707) 553-6832 or srohrs@thnewsnet.com.