RTE66/MAIN
STREET
PROJECT UPDATE
JULY 7, 2026
RECAP FROM MAY 5, 2026
• Council was presented with conceptuals for “Phase 1” improvements along Main St between 1st Ave and 7th Ave, and the park at the corner of 1st Ave and Main • Concept included: Street Improvements/repaving, general beautification of the public areas, and significant improvements to the corner park, including Route 66 Monumentation, Shaded area, Dog/Pet Area, and improvement to landscaping and walkways. • Staff communicated that the projects are scoped to be completed by November 11, 2026 • Funding was identified through two sources
⚬ $1 Million appropriation from the HUD-Transportation fund (sponsored by Congressman Jay Obernolte)
⚬ up to $282,000 from the city's Community Benefit program ⚬ Total projected Project budget = $1,282,000
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Council approved with additional action items
FEEDBACK
• Pocket Park
⚬ Improved shading and seating
⚬ Improved walkway access
• Beautification items for Main Street
⚬ Review placement and size of proposed sidewalk planter to ensure they don’t obstruct pedestrian traffic or sight lines of drivers at intersections
⚬ Invest in banners/flags that can be hung from existing fixtures along Main Street in the Project Area ⚬ Identify future CalTrans project that may impact Main Street/Route 66. Work with them to promote aesthetics that compliment City’s Route 66 investments.
• Outreach to local business owners
⚬ Communicate with local business owners, especially those with boarded-up windows/doors, and encourage them to paint Route 66-themed murals or similar artwork on these exterior-facing surfaces. ⚬ Connect with Village Cafe ownership about honoring them with a plaque celebrating their longevity and historical significance on Route 66
POCKET PARK
• IMPROVED SHADING AND SEATING
• IMPROVED WALKWAY ACCESS
POCKET PARK
• IMPROVED SHADING AND SEATING
3 concrete backless benches with dividers
6.4'L x 1.5'Wx 1.1'T
9 metal benches with dividers
6.16'L x 2'W x1.5'T
4 cantilever shades
15'x15'x10'
• BEAUTIFICATION ITEMS FOR MAIN STREET
⚬ SIDEWALK PLANTER SIZE AND PLACEMENT
Staff reviewed the placement and sizing of
planters.
• The original planter concept was verified to be
too large and would affect both pedestrian
walkability and driver sightlines.
• In addition, irrigation is more readily available
in other locations.
• Solution:
• Reduce Planter Size
• Remove Planters from 1
st Ave and the East
side of Barstow and Main intersections
• Add 2 planters to West side of 2
nd Ave and
Man intersection.
ORIGINAL SIZE :
54"L X 54"W X 40" H
CONCEPTUAL
CONCEPTUAL
• BEAUTIFICATION ITEMS FOR MAIN STREET
⚬ SIDEWALK PLANTER SIZE AND PLACEMENT
New Planters size 36" D 36" H
8 Planters:
• 2 @ Barstow Rd and Main (west side of intersection)
• 4 @ 3rd Ave. and Main (UsBank Crosswalk)
• 2 @ 2nd Ave. and Main (east side of intersection)
• BEAUTIFICATION ITEMS FOR MAIN STREET
⚬ INSTALL OF BANNERS/FLAGS
CONCEPTUAL BANNER DESIGNS
Staff was directed to review the
feasibility of placing banners and/or
flags along Main Street to celebrate
the Route 66 Centennial event and
the Barstow Veterans.
• 10 light poles on Main Street
between 1st Ave. and Barstow
Rd. are available for banner
installation.
• Staff has priced new hardware
that will support two banners per
pole.
• BEAUTIFICATION ITEMS FOR MAIN STREET
⚬ BARSTOW ROUTE 66 LOGOs
CONCEPTUAL
Original Updated
• BEAUTIFICATION ITEMS FOR MAIN STREET
⚬ CalTRANs Projects
Upcoming CalTrans projects that are
expected to affect Main St/Route 66
• Brightline High Speed Rail is
expected to construct a viaduct
that will cross Main Street near the
I-15/I-40 Junction.
• No specific timeline has been
determined however Caltrans has
met with City Staff to begin
discussion about potential
aesthetics improvement
CONCEPTUAL: provided by CalTrans
• OUTREACH TO BUSINESS OWNERS
⚬ BEAUTIFY DISTRESSED/BOARDED STOREFRONTS WITH RTE 66 ART ⚬ VILLAGE CAFE PLAQUE
Council directed staff to work with property owners within the project area to cleanup and/or paint boarded-up windows/storefronts with artwork
⚬ Staff has reached out to multiple property owners on Main Street Staff has met with Village Café Ownership.
⚬ They are eager to work with us on a dedication ceremony ⚬ Staff will return with a proposed design for plaque and timeline for ceremony
MODIFED PROJECT SCOPE
• Original plan was to use a $1MM HUD-Transportation appropriation to fund the improvements. ⚬ We were recently informed that, although we will receive the funds, they will not be available until later in the calendar year, which would affect our tight project timeline. • By slightly modifying the project scope, we will still be able to meet our November 11, 2026, deadline with significant improvement complete before the October 9, 2026 Main Street USA Festival ⚬ Original project scope included resurfacing Main Street from 1st Ave to 7th Ave ⚬ Modified Scope: Resurface Main Street from 1st Ave to Barstow Rd. ￭ Leverage Measure I to pay for street improvements
￭ Leverage the Community Benefit fund to pay for Pocket Park and Main Street Beautification Improvements
⚬ Original Project estimate = $1,282,000
⚬ Modified Project estimate = $1,000.000
￭ up to $600,000 for Street Improvements
￭ up to $400,000 for Park Improvements and Main Street Beautification items (i.e., intersection stencils, banners, and planters).
⚬ Staff will bring the full award and funding package to the council for approval on July 21, 2026
MODIFED PROJECT SCOPE
• When HUD Transportation funds become available, staff will prepare a Phase 1a project scope for council review and approval, and project priority. May include:
⚬ Complete street resurfacing to 7th Ave.
⚬ Begin planning and development of projects originally listed under Phase 2 from the May 5, Meeting.
CONCEPTUAL PHASE 2 PROJECTS: ARCHWAY SIGN, MEDIAN ART, ARTISTIC SIDEWALK
PROJECT TIMELINE
⚬ July 21 Award and Funding Package to Council
⚬ Work to start on both Pocket and Street Improvement by Mid-August 2026 ⚬ Street Improvements projected to be complete by end of September 2026 ⚬ Pocket Park to be complete by end of September/Mid-October 2026 ⚬ Both the Street and Pocket Park will be open for the Main Street USA Festival October 9-10, 2026 ⚬ Staff will organize a Pocket Park dedication ceremony for the Route 66 Centennial by November 11, 2026
QUESTIONS