The City of Sebastopol has been working closely with the community to reimagine downtown as a safer, more vibrant, and people-focused place. Funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant, this 18-month effort evaluated how Main Street, Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol Avenue, and McKinley Street can better function as both a regional corridor and the heart of the city. Through technical analysis, coordination with Caltrans, and multiple rounds of community engagement, the study developed and evaluated four alternatives focused on safety, walkability, bicycle access, traffic calming, and downtown vitality. The result has led to a plan to transform downtown Sebastopol by implementing improvements that advance safety, environmental responsibility, and long-term investment in downtown.

After extensive community input and guidance from the Planning Commission and City Council, we have a proposed draft Plan and conceptual design for the selected alternative: A Walkable Two-Way Downtown.

Read the draft Report here

Dive into the details in the draft Appendix here

Check out the draft Conceptual Design Plan here

Please share any feedback to planning@cityofsebastopol.gov with the subject line "STG Downtown Comments"

A Walkable Two Way Downtown

The selected project includes widened sidewalks and landscaping opportunities on both sides of Main Street in the downtown core, bulbouts and shortened pedestrian crossings at multiple intersections, and a shared multi-use pathway along McKinley St and Petaluma Ave. To achieve maximum route directness for motorists, both Main St and Petaluma Ave would be converted to two-way operations. The proposed pathway would be designed to connect with the regional bikeway and trail network and other points of interest in the vicinity of downtown.