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Castle Street Greenway project split into phases; first phase estimated at $3–3.5 million
Summary
Project planner presented a two‑phase Castle Street Greenway plan that would reduce initial costs and parking impacts; funding sources are limited pending state Prop 4 funds and foundation matches.
Tom Hessel, a consultant on the Castle Street Greenway project, told the council the project has been divided into two phases to reduce cost and simplify permitting. "I broke it into 2 phases with the first phase being above the railroad tracks ... and second phase being below that just to reduce the cost and make it simpler in terms of the process," Hessel said on Feb. 24.
Hessel said the preferred first phase would extend from the railroad tracks up to Sissen Meadow and that including a block in front of ACE as park would eliminate 46 parking spaces. He said he identified alternative spaces — most notably on the Brownell property the city is purchasing — and that the parking impact could be reduced to four lost spaces. He estimated the first-phase cost at about $3.5 million but said it would fall to roughly $3.0 million if a specific block were excluded.
On funding, Hessel said Proposition 12 and Proposition 68 funds are largely committed and that the city and project team are waiting for Proposition 4 funding to become available in the next state fiscal year beginning July 1. He named potential grant sources including the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, California State Parks and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and noted the McConnell Foundation's internal noncompetitive program often requires a 50% match. "If we get state money committed, then we go to McConnell and say that," Hessel said.
Tom's presentation prompted questions from councilors and property owners. Bill Ramshaw, owner of Ramshaw's Ace Hardware, said he is not in favor of the current park plan and will hire a consultant to evaluate impacts, asking council members to meet with him. "We are not for that situation," Ramshaw said.
City Manager Todd said staff are also considering reprogramming some Prop 68 funds for circulation and to pave Brownell parking lots the city recently acquired. Todd suggested council might return with an RFP to hire a communications and statistical research firm to test public support for a potential tax measure and to guide outreach if council decides to pursue a tax.
No council vote was taken on the Castle Street Greenway design at the Feb. 24 meeting; staff will continue outreach and funding analysis.
