El Centro council authorizes bids for downtown beautification under Clean California grant
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Summary
Council authorized staff to go out to bid on a Caltrans Clean California–funded downtown beautification package covering town square improvements, signage, furnishings and security; staff estimated the town square infrastructure cost at about $2.1 million and outlined non‑infrastructure art and event components.
The El Centro City Council voted 5–0 to authorize staff to solicit bids for a downtown beautification project funded through a Caltrans Clean California grant. Staff presented the project scope, design elements and preliminary cost estimates and said the bid authorization will allow the city to secure firm pricing.
Adrianna Nava told the council the project has been in development since 2023 and that the city was one of 42 awardees statewide. The proposed scope includes Town Square infrastructure improvements (estimated at about $2,100,000), Main Street furnishings (~$296,000), an illuminated sign on 8th Street (~$862,000), and 4th Street rehabilitation (~$201,000). Non‑infrastructure elements described in the grant application include murals, a one‑year security stipend estimated at $190,000 to help maintain new downtown improvements during an establishment period, and $70,000 for future downtown events.
Council members asked technical questions about buried stormwater inlets, removable bollards for emergency access, and Buy America requirements for certain purchases. Staff said design work with the project architect (Core) is complete enough to go to bid and that the non‑infrastructure components (murals) will return to council with artist proposals and cost details.
Council approved a motion to authorize the city to go out to bid for the Town Square project; the clerk recorded a 5–0 vote.
