8/4/04 - What's First for First Street?
In order to start the construction of the core First Street Streetscape project (L Street to Maple/Railroad Avenue), there are several other projects that must be completed before construction of the primary project can begin.

First things first, we must provide a suitable traffic route for through traffic during and after the construction period. As identified and studied in the Downtown Specific Plan, the primary route for downtown through traffic will be Railroad Avenue. In order to direct traffic to Railroad Avenue, there is work to be done to improve the roadway.

First, there is a minor amount of widening that is required between L Street and P Street. Signature Properties will be widening this portion of Railroad Avenue as part of the construction of their new housing project located at the northwesterly corner of L Street and Railroad Avenue between P Street and Maple Avenue. Finally, there are several areas of Railroad Avenue that on street parking must be removed and new traffic striping must be installed in order to provide two lanes of traffic in each direction for Railroad Avenue. All of this work is expected to be started in the Fall of 2004 and be completed by the end of February 2005.

In advance of the First Street Streetscape Project, California Water Service will be installing a new 12" water main in first Street from Maple Avenue to S Street. In addition, the City will be relocating a 30" storm drain line into First Street between Maple Avenue and McLeod Street to serve the road project and the development of the movie theatre and retial building proposed along First Street. This work is also expected to begin in the Fall of this year and be completed prior to March 2005.