SERA, leading a multi-disciplinary consultant team, created the Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Plan Concept (DMS) for the City of Santa Maria as an essential implementation component of the city’s 2015 Downtown Specific Plan. The goal is to address downtown livability and beautification by transforming Broadway and Main Street (both state highways) into complete streets that accommodate all users. The resulting DMS concept is technically feasible and builds on the vision of “livable streets” outlined in the Caltrans Main Street, California Guide.
Through an extensive public engagement effort, the consultant team worked with community members and city officials to determine priorities and a cohesive vision for the downtown, Main Street, and Broadway. The plan captures the community’s desires and proposes to reduce excessive travel lane widths, eliminate dual turning lanes, widen sidewalks, shorten pedestrian crossing distances, insert off-street cycle tracks, highlight intersections with material changes, and add short-term on-street parking to benefit existing and future businesses.
With the proposed transformation of Main Street and Broadway, Santa Maria has set the course to intentionally shape the evolution and revitalization of its downtown. Comprehensive improvements to the public realm will make downtown Santa Maria more livable, more walkable, and more enjoyable for all residents. This transformation will support Santa Maria’s important role as a cultural and economic hub on the Central California Coast.
