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Council approves 60% design for Merced Avenue Greenway Phase 2; staff to pursue remaining grants
Summary
Council received a presentation on the Merced Avenue Greenway Phase 2 North design, approved the 60% plans and directed staff to continue grant-seeking and design work to close a $3'$4 million funding gap.
The City Council on May 6 received a multi-agency presentation on the Merced Avenue Greenway Phase 2 North design and approved advancing the project through the 60% design milestone, with direction for staff to pursue additional grants to close an identified funding shortfall.
The project team, led by the Council for Watershed Health with partners ACT (ACT for San Gabriel Valley), Climate Resolve and consultant Tetra Tech, reviewed community engagement, design elements and benefits. The greenway blends stormwater capture, pedestrian and bicyclist improvements (a sidewalk-level separated bike lane), tree planting and streetscape treatments intended to improve safety, shade and water infiltration.
Key design and funding points: The team reported roughly $11.8 million in federal, state and local grants committed toward the overall initiative but estimated the full phase-2 build-out at about $10 million (construction) and roughly $12 million when escalation and contingencies are included. Project partners said the combined Phase 1 and 2 program is about $25 million and that the current design estimate leaves a three- to four-million-dollar shortfall. Staff and partners said they will pursue additional funding sources including state propositions and water-board grants to close the gap.
Traffic and public-safety elements include narrowing travel lanes to one through lane in each direction with a center-turn lane, sidewalk-level Class II bike lanes separated by buffers, curb extensions at select intersections, full ADA-compliant ramps and stormwater treatment via pervious-concrete and subsurface infiltration to capture roadway runoff. Project partners said the greenway will increase urban canopy, add roughly 30 new public trees and install native landscaping.
A community-driven process: Presenters emphasized multilingual outreach (English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese), youth participation from South El Monte High School and hands-on engagement at events such as the city's night market. Project partners highlighted Phase 1 accomplishments (a completed stretch with new trees and sidewalks) and a successful community celebration that drew more than 200 attendees.
Council action: Councilmember Manny Acosta moved and Councilmember Larry (surname in transcript) seconded acceptance of the presentation and approval of the 60% design; the motion passed unanimously. Council asked staff and partners to continue grant-seeking, to tighten the cost estimate as the design advances to final plans, and to bring any contract or bid-phase budget items back to council for formal authorization.
Next steps: Project partners will revise the estimate as design progresses, pursue remaining grants (including possible Proposition 4 and water-board programs) and advance the project toward final design and construction procurement. The council directed staff to continue coordination with LA County Flood Control and other agencies for storm-drain and recycled-water connections.
