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Council Agenda: 1-27-2026
Item No.: 2.8(a)
DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
RESOLUTION NO. ______________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JOSE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR THEIR
DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A
TRANSPORTATION ART MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR TRANSPORTATION AND
COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION ELEMENTS ON THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TR ANSPORTATION
PROPERTY ALONG STATE ROUTE 87, AUTHORIZING
THE PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS AND AFFIRMING THE
CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONGOING MAINTENANCE
OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of San José City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (“City”), in coordination with the San Jose Downtown Association, is proposing a corridor-scale Transportation and Community Identification elements project along State Route 87, generally following the Guadalupe River Trail between Sharks Way and Santa Clara Street; and
WHEREAS, the project will address longstanding graffiti and visual blight on highly visible transportation infrastructure while reinforcing neighborhood identity and visitor orientation; and
WHEREAS, this action enables the installation of corridor-scale wayfinding and beautification improvements, including Little Italy and Downtown San José identifiers and painted enhancements along bridges, embankments, and trail piers; and
WHEREAS, this project is part of the City’s Stitching Districts Initiative, which focuses on improving connectivity, wayfinding, and visual quality across downtown districts; and
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Council Agenda: 1-27-2026
Item No.: 2.8(a)
DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
WHEREAS, the subject sites are located entirely within and under the jurisdiction of the City of San José, portions of the Stitching Districts Initiative are located within Caltrans right-of-way and, therefore, require Caltrans encroachment permits and a Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the project scope includes:
1. Creation of text-based wayfinding reading “Little Italy” on the bridge sidewall, along with painted enhancements on each of the embankments below the Sharks Way/SR-87 undercrossing (PM 6.0); and
2. Creation of a text-based wayfinding reading “Welcome to Downtown San José” welcoming guests to Downtown San José on the bridge sidewall, Santa Clara Street/SR-87 undercrossing (PM 5.85), along with additional painted enhancements of the three bridge piers along the Guadalupe River Trail (PM
5.74); and
WHEREAS, opportunities to receive local input and/or support for the proposals will be provided by the City, securing and documenting public acceptance of the projects and ensuring that those most affected by the projects have ways to express support or opposition to any final proposals; and
WHEREAS, as a condition of permit approval, the City will formally authorize the improvements and accept responsibility for ongoing maintenance; and
WHEREAS, once permits to proceed are granted by Caltrans, installation of the Transportation and Community Identification elements will begin; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs will ensure the murals are installed in the 2026 calendar year and maintained on an ongoing basis; and
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Council Agenda: 1-27-2026
Item No.: 2.8(a)
DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE THAT:
The City Manager or their designee is hereby authorized to negotiate and execute a Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for Transportation and Community Identification elements on the California Department of Transportation property along State Route 87, authorizing the planned improvements and affirming the City’s responsibility to: approve the transportation art; fund the improvements; perform regular scheduled maintenance of the improvements throughout their projected lifespan, including timely graffiti removal, restoration and removal of the improvements as required, with all improvements to be installed in the 2026 calendar year.
III
III
III
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Council Agenda: 1-27-2026
Item No.: 2.8(a)
DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
ADOPTED this _____ day of ___________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
MATT MAHAN
Mayor
ATTEST:
TONI J. TABER, MMC
City Clerk