COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: April 7, 2026
SUBJECT: Presentation – Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment
Description:
The City Council will receive a presentation regarding the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment (SMDMA) funded by Caltrans.
BACKGROUND:
Since June of 2025, Caltrans has been collaborating with the City of Santa Maria, the Santa Barbara Association of Governments (SBCAG), and Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) on the development of the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment (SMDMA). The SMDMA is a feasibility study that identifies practical multimodal enhancements through a collaborative process involving part ner agencies, public feedback, and internal Caltrans units.
Specifically, this assessment presents a strategic vision for multimodal improvements along State Route (SR) 166 (Main Street) and SR 135 (Broadway) within downtown Santa Maria, focusing on approximately half a mile of each corridor where they intersect at the City’s core. The assessment builds off existing planning studies completed by the City of Santa Maria , including the 2019 Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Plan, to identify project concepts aimed at enhancing Broadway and Main Street as multimodal corridors, improving accessibility and connectivity for all users to key destinations throughout downtown and its surrounding communities.
A Caltrans Assessment provides specific scope recommendat ions necessary to begin projects. Funding for this assessment is provided by Caltrans.
Initial outreach activities have been completed and were designed to engage the community.
Assessment website (bilingual) - Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment Downtown Friday - September 25, 2025
Community survey in September – October 2025
Numerous partner meetings between the City of Santa Maria, Caltrans, SBCAG, and SMRT
2 DISCUSSION:
At the City Council meeting scheduled for April 7, 2026, Caltrans, in partnership with the City, will present several preliminary concepts. These conceptual designs were guided by existing planning documents, early community input, and partner feedback. It is important to note that these concepts are subject to further refinement throughout subsequent project phases.
Additional opportunities for public input will be provided at upcoming outreach events:
Downtown Fridays: April 10, 2026.
Machado Plaza food truck event: April 15, 2026.
As conceptual designs evolve, ongoing dialogue will play a critical role in shaping final outcomes and creating concepts that reflect community values. Finally, establishing a shared maintenance agreement between the City an d Caltrans ensures that responsibilities are clearly defined, facilitating smooth transitions into future project phases and ongoing stewardship of new infrastructure.
Attachment(s):
A. Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment (SMDMA) Factsheet