Agenda Item #4.1
For Council Meeting of: September 29, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN HENNESSEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
GABE OSBURN, DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE
AGENDA ACTION: STUDY SESSION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works and Planning and Economic Development Departments recommend that the Council receive an update on completed, ongoing, and potential future improvements to downtown public spaces and provide feedback regarding priorities and concepts for future evaluation. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In August and December 2025, the Council received Capital Improvement Program updates that included discussion of potential improvements to downtown public spaces. Since those discussions, City staff, the City Manager’s Office, and the Downtown Action Organization have completed or advanced improvements at Courthouse Square, Fourth Street, Comstock Mall, Jeju Way, and Juilliard Park. This study session provides an update on project status, responsibilities, anticipated timing, and available or potential funding sources and seeks Council feedback regarding future priorities.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure, Council Goal #3 - Promote Citywide Economic Development, and Council Goal #4 - Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community by improving downtown streets and park spaces for the community.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
On August 19 and December 2, 2025, the City Council received Capital Improvement Program updates that included discussion of potential improvements to Downtown public spaces. Council expressed interest in improvements that would enhance aesthetics, safety, functionality, and amenities for families and children. Staff subsequently worked with the City Manager’s Office and Downtown Action Organization (DAO) to identify projects, funding sources, and implementation responsibilities. Attachment 1 shows a summary of those discussions.
ANALYSIS
Since the prior Council discussions, City staff and the DAO have advanced a coordinated package of improvements focused on Courthouse Square, Fourth Street, Comstock Mall, Jeju Way, and Juilliard Park. Several projects have already been completed or are underway, including interactive play panels, tree and lighting improvements, temporary public art, pathway enhancements, and relocation of the Jeju Way musical instruments. Additional projects are moving forward to improve lighting, landscaping, waste collection, pedestrian space, wayfinding, and opportunities for public activation.
The identified improvements can generally be implemented using existing resources, including approximately $1,100,000 in Downtown Park Development Impact fees, up to $200,000 in Zero Waste Sonoma grant funding, existing Economic Development and DAO funds, and potentially $100,000 in SRTBIA funds for a permanent downtown stage. Staff will continue coordinating with the DAO and other downtown stakeholders on project design, prioritization, funding, and community engagement, including further evaluation of longer-term concepts for Jeju Way, Courthouse Square, and Juilliard Park.
The following summarizes completed projects, projects in progress, and potential future projects under evaluation.
Completed Projects
Courthouse Square Play Panels and Public Art
Fourth Street Planter Relocation/Reduction/Repainting/Replanting Comstock Mall Tree Trimming and Tree Removal
Comstock Mall Pathway Installation
Jeju Way Art Walk Installation and Musical Instrument Relocation Projects in Progress
La Rosa Fountain Removal (September 2026)
Bigbelly Trash Cans in Courthouse Square, Comstock Mall (November 2026) Bicycle Rack Relocation/Repainting (November 2026)
Comstock Mall Lighting (November 2026)
Fourth Street Lighting and Powder-Coating of Lighting and Signal Poles (December 2026) Jeju Way Fountain Restoration (December 2026)
Juilliard Park Playground Equipment (TBD)
Ruth Asawa Panels and Fountain Reconstruction (TBD)
Utility Box Wraps (TBD)
Future Projects
Sycamore Tree Uplighting
Decorative and Safety Lighting Study
Jeju Way Tree Reduction/Entertainment Space
Juilliard Park Kiosk Activation
FISCAL IMPACT
Receipt of this study-session update has no fiscal impact. Funding for certain completed and ongoing projects is available within approved operating and capital budgets. Other projects remain conceptual and may require future funding or appropriation approvals. Staff will return to the appropriate decision-making body for those approvals as required. No General Fund appropriation is requested through this study session.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because the Council will receive an informational update and provide preliminary feedback, if any. The study session does not approve any physical improvement, authorize construction, appropriate funds, award a contract, or commit the City to a particular course of action that could result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Any future discretionary City action associated with the projects discussed during the study session will be reviewed for compliance with CEQA before approval, as applicable.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Downtown Projects Update Memo from Staff to City Manager’s Office (February 25, 2026)
PRESENTERS
Dan Hennessey, Director, Transportation and Public Works Department Gabe Osburn, Director, Planning and Economic Development Department
DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE
PAGE 3 OF 3