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Chico council hears hours of public comment on $40–50M downtown revitalization plan; no final authorization tonight
Summary
Council received a multi-year plan and $40–50 million project estimate to rework Main/Broadway downtown for wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes and safety improvements; staff said sewer replacement is funded separately and surface improvements would follow. After 77 public commenters and extended debate, council recorded split votes on whether to advance the most ambitious alternative and left final direction unresolved.
Mayor Reynolds opened a lengthy hearing on a proposed downtown revitalization project that would narrow travel lanes on Main and Broadway, widen sidewalks and add protected bicycle facilities. Public works director Bridal Ottobani and project manager Aaron Silva told the council the feasibility work is complete and the city could pursue an Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant to fund a major portion of construction; staff estimated a total project in the $40–50 million range (not including the separately funded sewer replacement) and flagged a typical ATP local match requirement in the low double digits.
The staff presentation emphasized that the project remains in the feasibility phase, that construction would likely be years away and that the process would include environmental review, detailed design and…
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