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Salida outlines multi‑year plan for F Street summer closures; applies for Ready Grant to fund sidewalks, irrigation and art
Summary
Council heard staff plans to phase in F Street summer closures (May–Sept.) after a ballot measure; staff has applied for a Ready Grant requesting $150,000 with a $50,000 match to fund sidewalks, electrical and irrigation conduit, public art and downtown activation, and estimated near-term activation costs at roughly $30,000.
City staff briefed council on multi‑year plans to implement a seasonal F Street closure after voters approved a ballot measure to restrict vehicular traffic on the corridor from May through September. Staff said downtown partners (a downtown business group, Arts & Culture Advisory Council and the Small Business Development Center) have been developing activation ideas and that CGI Digital has offered free downtown banners for the season; staff noted the poles for the banners are owned by Excel and will need to meet that company’s signage standards.
Staff said the city has submitted an application to the Rural Economic Development Initiative (Ready Grant) requesting $150,000 with a $50,000 match to support sidewalk improvements (including conduit for electric and irrigation), downtown art such as mosaics and painted intersections, and signage and parking wayfinding. The grant decision is expected in June; if awarded, design work would take place in 2026 with possible installation in 2027.
Operational details discussed include revocable license agreements for temporary business expansions into the street (historically provided at no cost for summer closures) and updates to business packet materials to streamline the permit process. Staff estimated activation costs for the coming year at approximately $30,000 for street painting and an additional $5,000–$10,000 for supplemental signage and wayfinding. Council members raised concerns about maintenance costs for painted street art, durability under vehicle traffic, and ensuring projects encourage foot traffic to adjacent side streets as well as F Street.
Staff said some infrastructure—corner planters—already have irrigation, while street-tree irrigation and electrification would require conduit in sidewalk trenches and potential grant or future budget funding. Staff also discussed developing a creative-business boot camp with the Small Business Development Center to help downtown businesses maximize closure opportunities.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach with downtown groups, await Ready Grant results in June, and return with more detailed cost estimates and implementation steps if the grant is awarded.
