COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: June 16, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution and Presentation of the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment Engagement Recap and Next Steps
Description:
The City Council will receive a presentation regarding the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment (SMDMA) funded by Caltrans and consider a dopting a Resolution accepting the concepts developed.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution accepting the concepts developed in the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment, which recommends transportation improvements for State Route (SR) 166 (Main Street) between Pine Street and Miller Street, as well as SR 135 (Broadway) from Cook Street to Mill Street.
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 partner agencies, public feedback, and internal Caltrans units.
This assessment presents a strategic vision f or 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 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.
2 A Caltrans Assessment provides specific scope recommendations necessary to begin projects. Funding for this assessment is provided by Caltrans.
The following outreach activities have been completed and were designed to engage the community.
Assessment website (bilingual)- Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment Downtown Fridays
Machado Plaza events
Community surveys
Numerous partner meetings between the City, Caltrans, SBCAG, and SMRT
DISCUSSION:
At the City Council meeting scheduled for June 16, 2026, Caltrans, in partnership with the City, will present the concepts developed as part of the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Plan. These conceptual designs were guided by existing planning documents, early community input, and pa rtner feedback. It is important to note that these concepts are subject to further refinement throughout subsequent project phases.
Finally, establishing a shared maintenance agreement between the City and Caltrans ensures that responsibilities are clearly defined, facilitating smooth transitions into future project phases and ongoing stewardship of new infrastructure.
Following the City Council acceptance of concepts, Caltrans and the City will review and evaluate potential funding strategies for subsequent implementation phases.
Alternative(s)
City Council may deny the concepts developed in the Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment.
Fiscal Considerations
The SMDMA is supported by Caltrans funding.
Impact on the Community
Implementation of the recommendations in the SMDMA will assist the City’s effort to transform downtown into a more vibrant and attractive destination.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment (SMDMA) Concepts