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Council reviews conceptual plans for Santa Fe Depot rehabilitation; staff to return with bids and alternates
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Summary
City staff and Arcaterra Design Group presented conceptual designs for the Santa Fe Depot rehabilitation funded by a $850,000 community project grant; council provided design and budget guidance and directed staff to prepare construction documents and bid alternates.
City development staff and consultants presented conceptual rehabilitation plans for the historic Upland Santa Fe Depot on Monday and asked the council for design direction before preparing construction documents.
Development Services Director Robert Dahlquist said the project is funded by a $850,000 community project funding grant secured in 2024 from Congressmember Norma Torres and is part of downtown Main Street revitalization. Arcaterra Design Group principal Greg Denson walked the council through proposed improvements including an ADA-compliant plaza, a permanent metal patio cover with decorative laser-cut motifs, repainting and replastering of five platform canopies, a new illuminated pylon sign and drought-tolerant landscape replacement.
Denson said the design team incorporated planning commission feedback to simplify colors and consider a powder-coated black finish for metalwork to reduce perceived weathering. "We re proposing a planter along that north edge...and new pavement that would then be ADA compliant," Denson said.
Council members pressed for cost controls and phase options. Dahlquist presented a cost estimate in the neighborhood of $900,000 with the 10% contingency but said staff had identified potential savings (for example, slurry sealing the lot rather than a grind-and-overlay to save roughly $90,000). The design team proposed including bid alternates so the council can prioritize elements once competitive bids arrive.
Council discussed signage materials and vandal resistance; consultant and staff discussed options including a river-rock base for the pylon sign, backlit metal letters to reduce the use of exposed acrylic, and a smaller V-shaped face to deter vandalism. Several council members favored a black trim and matte finish to achieve an industrial aesthetic compatible with the depot's character.
On governance and funding, Dahlquist said the city is coordinating with the regional transit agency (SBCTA) on shelter assets and that some station elements may remain under their jurisdiction. The council directed staff to proceed with construction documents, include isolatable bid alternates, and return with refined cost breakdowns and recommended phasing.
Staff said construction documents will incorporate council comments and that the project will be used to produce bid documents once the conceptual design is finalized.
