Clean California grant team shows Second Street gateway options; council favors radial rockscape and municipal seal

Selma — City staff and A&M Engineering presented design alternatives July 15 for the Clean California Highway 99/Second Street gateway project, a $3.0 million state grant to revitalize the corridor from the Highway 99 off‑ramp into downtown.

The presentation described project elements including stamped decorative sidewalks (with a grape motif), new curb ramps, Chinese pistache street trees, trash receptacles and benches at Berry Park, solar‑capable streetlights, and a pair of gateway monument pads at the freeway off‑ramps. Consultants showed three monument concepts: a simple single‑tone rockscape, a multi‑tone radial rockscape, and a planting‑heavy design. Consultants also showed options for a stock statue (approximate cost $30,000) or a custom bronze work (roughly $75,000 noted) and reviewed Buy‑America constraints for grant‑funded artwork.

Council discussion favored the radial rockscape aesthetic (option 2), asked staff to explore using the city seal or a downtown Selma logo instead of the bear statue, and requested staff check whether one ramp monument could include a secondary language (Spanish) and whether a flagpole or uplighting could be incorporated that meets Caltrans requirements. Staff noted many items must be coordinated with Caltrans because the monuments sit in Caltrans right‑of‑way; Caltrans encroachment permitting and design standards will govern height, materials and maintainability. Staff said stamped sidewalks with grape patterns were already in the design and that project construction is on a grant deadline that targets completion by June 30, 2026.

Consultants and staff will take council feedback into final design work, check vendor availability for appropriate stock statues and flags, and return with refined options and cost/maintenance implications to ensure the $3 million Clean California funding is maximized for corridor elements.