Project Narrative Template
1. PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Approximately midway between Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, the severely disadvantage community of Barstow is nestled against the Calico Mountains and the Mojave River within Southern California’s picturesque San Bernardino County. Barstow is one of the few cities remaining with the longest stretch of historic highway 66 still functioning as the city’s Main Street through Downtown.
Once a booming destination for travelers with many roadside attractions, hotels and restaurants, our city is now desolate, deteriorating and in desperate need of beautification. Although critical to goods movement, the development of Interstate-15 demolished our local economy, routing tourists away from our vibrant downtown. Many local businesses were forced to close resulting in blighted buildings, illegal dumping, debris and waste.
This grant funding provides the opportunity to rehabilitate a section of our downtown along Route-66 and transform it into a beautiful community resource that honors our historic relevance and celebrates the commitment of our dedicated residents.
The city is requesting $4,886,505.00 to add gateway monuments, proper lighting, public art, landscaping, shade structures, a park and a public right-of-way that will increase access, enhance our community and celebrate our rich history.
The city’s target area for this grant is on a section of US Route 66 beginning in Historic Downtown Barstow, commencing at the intersection of Barstow Road and ending at the west intersection of First Avenue.
On the northeast corner of First Avenue and Main Street, the city plans to convert a vacant parcel into a park, which contains art structures that were conceived by community members. The art structures depict the Route 66 history and create photographic opportunities and a destination for locals, travelers and tourists. To enjoy the park, an area has been designated as a raised stepped planter area where pedestrians can sit-down, relax and enjoy their surroundings. Furthermore, shade trees, desert landscaping, hardscaping and recycled crumb rubber will be incorporated to demonstrate and educate the public on the importance of environmental stewardship, such as ways to recycle, reduce waste, lessen urban heat, improve water quality and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
In the right-of-way for Main Street, the city plans to restructure the current median landscape to modern urban greening standards. Furthermore, the city wants to renovate downtown by placing imaginative gateway monuments at the entrances, replacing a section of sidewalk with an artistic sidewalk of Route 66 Map, installing an imaginative fence in the median, and adding LED street lights that resemble the antique light standard during the Route 66 period.
A goal of this project is to improve opportunities for walking, biking and recreation, while creating a public space that is aesthetically appealing during the day and a destination by night that is safe, engaging and a modernized version of our beautiful Route 66 past. The project will restore pride and beauty in the community and discourage the accumulation of waste and debris.
To further enhance the ambiance of downtown, commercial grade LED string lights will crisscross over Main Street.
The Third Avenue Plaza on Main Street is the middle point of the corridor. The plaza is currently a parking lot and will be modernized by replacing aged and dilapidated landscaping with drought-resistant and native species and using the elements mentioned above to make it a vibrant place to gather, day or night. The current proposal includes metal shade structures with LED lights and a concrete area that can transform into a stage for artistic performers.
To further support artists, Barstow plans to showcase the city’s history with several murals surrounding the project corridor. These murals will be created by local artists and will depict our local history and community pride.
A primary objective of the project is to make it a destination so the residents of Barstow can come together to work, play and create a culture for the community. The city supports the diversity of the community and encourages all, regardless of race, age and sexual orientation, to have equal opportunities and access. There are several apartments and affordable housing units within walking distance of the proposed project, which meets the city’s goal of advancing equity for its underserved community members
Downtown Main Street on Historic Route 66 Beautification Project µ
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City Limits
Jurisdictional Boundaries
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Downtown Main Street on Historic Route 66 Beautification Project Gateway Sign
Gateway Sign
Bio Swale Island with
Artistic Fence, Street
Trees, Antique Street
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Artistic Sidewalk
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Destination Park Music//Art Pavilion/
Shade Structure
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Overall Project Limits and Proposed Elements or Activities Community Art Gateway Banner and Lights Wayfinding Signs Artistic Sidewalk Art
3. PHOTO OF EXISTING CONDITIONS AT PROJECT SITE(S)
4. DEMONSTRATED COMMUNITY NEED AND POTENTIAL OUTCOMES
Goal 1. Reduce the Amount of Waste and Debris
At the northeast corner of Main Street and First Avenue, the city owns a vacant parcel, which it plans to build into a park, creating a purpose for this land, that will be equipped with proper waste disposal infrastructure that eliminates unsightly weeds, trash and debris that grows and gathers at this location.
Currently, the property is a dirt lot where unwanted vegetation overgrows and illegal dumping accumulates.
During a previous drought period, the city removed the grass within the median that bisects the street.
Currently, unwanted vegetation grows and creates green waste, which contributes to trash and debris accumulating in the median. This will be eliminated with proper landscaping and clean up from the city.
Barstow participates in a Route 66 clean-up day (https://www.nationalcleanupday.org/barstow-ca) and these efforts will be driven by volunteers who want to keep this area beautiful.
The city intends on taking the following litter abatement measures:
• Install waste receptacles with anti-littering signage or messaging • Hold at least two clean-up days calling for local volunteers to pick up trash/debris Waste receptacles will be installed containing anti-littering messaging in support of keeping the park and community clean. The receptacles are intended to help beautify the space and improve quality of life, by transforming cleanliness and aesthetics, keeping waste properly contained and eliminating visible waste, windblown litter, overflows and critter access. The proposed receptacles may be equipped with technology to increase efficiency by alerting appropriate staff when they need to be serviced and may also have compaction capabilities for increased capacity.
Goal 2. Beautify and Improve Public Space
To revitalize Downtown Main Street, several beautification elements and improvements to public spaces will be incorporated. First, the existing median will be modernized to current urban greening methods.
Instead of its current mounded landscape, the median will be changed to a bioswale landscape area.
The majority of the existing curb and gutter will remain, but several sections of the curb will be removed to allow stormwater to enter into a bioswale, therefore removing pollutants by filtration through the vegetation. Additionally, sediment and heavy metals will be removed by the bioswales. The bioswales in combination with new vegetation/landscaping, rockscaping, trees and artificial grass are more sustainable and visually pleasing to the community than other Best Management Practices (BMPs) methods. Large shade trees will be planted in the median to lower heat footprints and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Barstow is hit hard by urban heat islands and installing shade structures and trees will preserve the project site’s beauty and enhance the quality of life for community members. An artistic fence will be placed in the center of the median to minimize pedestrian crossing at unsafe and unmonitored areas. The second improvement to Downtown Main Street will be two overhead gateway signs that cross over Main Street at Barstow Road and a second one at First Avenue and Main Street.
During the day, the monument sign will be classical and reflect the historic essence of Route 66. The pedestal portion of the monuments will be stone veneer. Above the pedestal will be a façade that resembles an old theater marquee that will attach to an overhead metal lattice entryway with a Route 66 shield in the center and over Main Street. At night, LED lights that resemble neon lights will be designed into the marquee and overhead entryway to transform the area into a night-time entertainment atmosphere. To further enhance this zone, existing lights will be replaced with human scale LED street lights that reflect the 50s and 60s era. LED string lights will traverse across Main Street, broadening the magnetism of the area.
The third beautification improvement is to transform a vacant lot the city owns into a Route 66 themed park.
Local artists have conceived Route 66 sculptures that will present many photo opportunities for the park’s visitors. The first sculpture is a sixty-six (66) sign, that will stand approximately eight feet tall. The bottom
of the sign resembles the front of a 1957 Chevy. On top of the Chevy is a large sixty-six sign that is painted with elements that represent classic California, such as the black and yellow license plate, crossing over the Colorado River, historic restaurants and other landmarks. Leading up to the sculpture, the city plans to use recycled crumb rubber to represent roadway. The second sculpture is called MetroKabob. The concept is a fabrication of stacked 1950s era Nash Metropolitan vehicles skewered on a pole. The remainder of the park will consist of rick pavers pathways, raised planters to accommodate sitting areas, landscaping, hardscaping and parking for the area.
The fourth improvement to Downtown Mainstreet is the installation of an interactive sidewalk element, which is a Route 66 map demonstrating the entirety of the route through the eight states. A section of sidewalk on the north and south side of Main Street by Third Avenue will be replaced with the Route 66 map sidewalk.
The final improvement is at the Third Avenue Plaza. In this location, aging and declining landscape will be replaced with updated sustainable shrubbery. New metal shade structures with neon looking LED lights and hanging LED string lights will transform this area from just a parking lot to a community performing arts area. A performance stage will be constructed to allow the local dance studios, singers, actors and bands to perform. The city also envisions an art festival where artists can display their art throughout the plaza
Goal 3. Improving Public Spaces for Walking and Recreation According to San Bernardino County’s 2013 Our Community Vital Signs Report, Barstow has the highest death rates in the County for five major causes of death, which include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, strokes and accidents. Additionally, the report revealed a high number of our community members have diabetes and are overweight. In order to concentrate on this concern, the city has increased its focus on health and active living initiatives.
One of the city’s initiatives is to create areas and events where the community has opportunities to be physically active. Every year, Downtown Main Street hosts a car show where participants park their vehicles on either side of Main Street from Barstow Road to First Avenue. Vendors and food trucks are available and the community has an opportunity to walk around and view the vehicles while enjoying items and refreshments from local businesses and vendors. In the past, the city has hosted similar events, such as farmers markets and Christmas tree lightings featuring local dance studios, singers and bands.
The city has aspirations to create more events, projects and art elements to encourage walking and biking within the area. In the past, the city constructed a Route 66 monument designed by local High Desert members that features a classic vehicle. In addition, the city has installed artistic bike racks that represent the eight states relevant to Route 66. Furthermore, within the project area, local artists have painted murals that depict the local history. The city will market a walking map highlighting artistic elements (Route 66 sidewalk map and art sculptures), murals, bike racks and monuments.
The community has advocated for the revitalization of Downtown Main Street on Route 66 and for it to be developed as a destination where events, entertainment, business, employment and the arts can be enjoyed. The community wants a cultural connection to the era when Main Street was thriving. The city wants the area to increase public health through the following:
• Reducing depression by increasing economic and employment opportunities • Reducing heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes by providing physical activities and lower stress levels
• Reducing chronic lower respiratory diseases by eliminating pollutants and providing healthy, safe spaces for walking and biking
• Reducing accidents by implementing traffic calming measures and safety measures for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists
Lastly, the region has two tribal communities who have bid for casinos in Downtown Barstow. If the project is funded, it will create a desirable, safe and beautiful area to house these casinos and drive tourism and economic development.
Goal 4. Advance Equity for Underserved Communities
Utilizing CalEnviroScreen 3.0, the project resides in Census Tract 6071009400, which ranks 90-95% of the highest burdens. Furthermore, the project is within the SB 535 disadvantaged communities where environmental pollution and other hazards can lead to negative public health effects, exposure and/or environmental degradation. Additionally, the population is comprised of low-income residents with low levels of educational attainment, high unemployment rates, low levels of home ownership, high rent burdens and other vulnerabilities.
The proposed project is adjacent to affordable housing and apartments and, according to their circumstances, all community members will benefit from employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, entertainment and amenities.
5. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
The city’s purpose to improve the economy, environment, health and the recreation of the project elements sparked an extensive public engagement process to acquire information and inspiration from the community. The city’s approach to community engagement consists of interactive workshops, surveys and attending local events. The first workshop meeting is focused on gathering data by preparing immersive activities for the participants to express their revelations, inspirations and concerns.
Each subsequent meeting builds upon the previous meeting’s intentions and results and validates that the communities’ responses and concerns are being understood and documented accurately. The final meeting concludes the plans, reports or documents that are cultivated from the community’s objectives.
In order to collect and record consistent information from multiple organizations, groups or multiple people, the city uses surveys and questionnaires. These surveys are usually presented to the community during workshops, promoted by social media, broadcast at public meetings, accessed through the web and by conducting personal studies at schools, churches, libraries, events and public spaces. Attending community events allows the city to provide promotional items and interact with the community. During one of the city’s ATP outreach programs, the city was able demonstrate traffic calming elements, twoway cycle track, collect survey information and give promotional items.
The city has conducted several workshops, surveys and events. The following activities are directly or indirectly related to the proposed project:
• Barstow Beautiful Design Guidelines,
Year 2012, 5 Workshops with approximately 60 to 100 participants per event • Route 66 Business Corridor - Downtown Business and Cultural District Specific Plan Year 2016, Several Workshops with 40-80 participants per event • City of Barstow Active Transportation Plan Cycle 1
Year 2018, Workshops, a survey with 155 responses, Route 66 Festival and Barstow Police Safety Fair Events, School Visits and Surveys
• Healthy Cities Meeting
January 29, 2020, 40 Participants
• Re-Image Barstow - Housing, Recreation, Transportation, and Environment Workshop February, 2020 Workshop with 44 participants
• Active Transportation Project (ATP) Workshop
August, 2020 Workshops 40 participate. A Workshop in Spanish • Healthy Barstow Meeting
Year 2020, ATP Presentation
• Housing Element Workshop (Virtual Meeting)
Year 2020, A few workshops and surveys
• Park and Recreation Workshops (Virtual Meeting)
2020 / 2021, 5 Workshops, 30-50 participants per event
• Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Workshops and Surveys (Virtual Meeting)
2021 Workshops and Surveys
• Nation Clean-up Day with California Historic Route 66 Association September 18,2021, Three-hour event with more than 60 volunteers that collected trash and recycles from Main Street and the city’s vacant properties • Chamber of Commerce – Tourism Committee (Virtual Meeting) January, 2022. Project Presentation to receive committees and public’s comments • Chamber of Commerce – Economic Committee (Virtual Meeting) January, 2022. Project Presentation to receive committees and public’s comments The proposed project is consistent with the following Downtown Business and Cultural District Specific Plan Goals by:
1. Create a positive image of Route 66 and Downtown Barstow that celebrates its unique history and culture
2. Provide a safe, visible and active downtown that attracts tourists and supports the local economy
3. Create a corridor to create a cohesive, visually interesting and attractive Route 66 that increases tourism and supports the community
Furthermore, the project is harmonious with Barstow Beautiful Design Guidelines for drought tolerant landscaping, wayfinding signs, site amenities, and gateway concepts. Finally, this project incorporates elements from Affordable Housing / Sustainable Communities, Economic Development Goals, Healthy City incentives, and Active Transportation Programs. The project will promote walking, biking, skating or other active transportation methods by creating an area where the community feels safe and wants to enjoy amenities of food, entertainment and art activities. This Downtown is perfect for mix-use zoning where commercial components can be on the first floor and affordable housing can be on the upper floors. This creates a sustainable environment where the community can work, play and live in the downtown district.
The public engagement process has enabled the public to develop a majority of the concepts, standards, necessities and requirements of the city’s plans, documents and guidelines
6. PROJECT DELIVERABILITY
The city is confident that the project will be delivered, opened to the public and all funds expended by June 30, 2024. The project is within the city limits and will not require encroachment permits from any other agency. Furthermore, this project is on developed or previous developed land and should be Categorically Exempt.
The city has no concerns with the ability to complete the project on time and within the budget. In some cases, there may be delays and issues getting some materials due to a supply chain issue resulting from COVID-related shutdowns. The city will adjust the phases of the project to accommodate any delays or substitute materials if ultimately necessary to complete and open the project by June 30, 2024.
A majority of public engagement and planning has already occurred. There will be a need to finalize engineering and landscaping plans, the specification and estimates after the grant has been secured.
This will ensure the plans, specifications and estimates are current and relevant to the project. This will not take much time, but will ensure complete accuracy for project delivery
7. MAINTENACE PLAN
The city anticipates the lifespan of the proposed improvements to last greater than twenty-five (25) years.
The improvements will continue to be on the city’s annual maintenance schedule and budget. The funding for the area may need to be adjusted to accommodate the increased amenities. Simplifying policies with partners and with local organizations will assist in commitment to litter abatement, maintenance and preservation.
The city already has established agreements with Main Street Murals for their maintenance of the murals in Barstow. Similar agreements can be extended to other artists or organizations.
In the project specifications and contract documents, new landscape and trees will have a five-year plant establishment agreement. After the five-year plant establishment, the city will assume landscape responsibility.
The city is analyzing a formation of a Downtown Business District (DBD) or a Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Should DBD or DDA be established, funds, investments and revenue will be a component of the agreement to maintain, develop or enhance the area.
To avoid litter from accumulating again, the vacant lot will be converted into useful public space. Within this public space, trash enclosures will be constructed and smart receptacles with message boards displaying litter abatement information will be placed throughout the project.
Additionally, the city is working with downtown businesses and volunteers to develop litter, trash and recycling programs. Infusion of funding into this venture will only increase the efforts to develop and keep the area beautiful.
The strategy to prevent litter form accumulating:
• Increase litter abatement programs through city staff and organization • Provide and maintain additional receptacles and trash enclosures • Install smart receptacles that inform staff when the receptacles are full • Develop partnerships with business owners, community members and organizations in regards to solid waste and recycling
• Research and establish funding opportunities