What is the purpose of this project?

The Reimagining the Core project (“the project” or “the study”) seeks to develop a comprehensive vision for the downtown segments of State Route 116 (SR-116) and SR-12 that will make the area more welcoming to people walking, biking, and using transit through multimodal transportation improvements. The study seeks to re-envision and transform downtown Sebastopol into a safer, more accessible, and vibrant place for everyone. Key project goals include:

• Enhancing multimodal safety, accessibility, and comfort

• Encouraging mode shift to support greenhouse gas reduction goals

• Mitigating negative impacts of regional through traffic

• Engaging downtown business community for revitalization

What work will be done as part of this project?

The project includes the following tasks:

• Data Review & Existing Conditions: Understanding baseline conditions and existing context. Collection of traffic counts at key downtown intersections and along key roadway segments.

• Community Engagement: Stakeholder meetings, outreach to community groups, agency working group, and community workshops.

• Vision, Alternatives, and Analysis: Developing a draft vision for the corridor, identifying potential alternatives, and analyzing alternatives. Leveraging industry standards and the right tools to inform decision-making.

• Regional Circulation Assessment: Understanding regional infrastructure effects to the study area, including a potential bypass outside of city limits.

• Identify Preferred Alternative: Identify future preferred plan for downtown.

• Cost Estimating and Implementation Plan: Developing a road map and plan for construction and implementation.

What is the study area?

The project study area generally comprises Main Street and Petaluma Street between Wilton Avenue and Willow Street, McKinley Street, and Bodega Avenue/Sebastopol Avenue between Main Street and Barnes Avenue.

Will this project study assess specific alternatives?

The Caltrans grant stipulates that the project must study at least one alternative that benefits pedestrians and bicyclists without worsening the current level of service (i.e., vehicle delay) at various intersections in the Downtown area. Additionally, at least one option should include a two-way street concept for the existing SR-116 one-way couplet.

How is this study funded?

This study is funded through a grant from Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). In 2022, the City applied for the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant to reevaluate the downtown segments of SR 116 and SR 12 to address multimodal transportation, safety, sustainability, accessibility, and economic development.

Does the project include construction and implementation? How will future changes on downtown streets be funded and constructed?

The project will develop an implementation plan for the ultimate preferred alternative. This plan will identify outside grants (i.e., state, regional, federal funding) that the City can pursue to construct and implement desired improvements.

What is the time horizon for this study?

The study will focus on improvements that can be made within a 5 to 10-year horizon. The study is intended to be published and adopted by City Council by Summer 2026