Project Financial Summary
Project Costs Revenues Operating Costs
Prior Actual - - -
2022-23 800,000 - -
2023-24 - - -
2024-25 - - -
2025-26 - - -
2026-27 - - -
2027-28 - - -
2028-29 - - -
2029-30 - - -
2030-31 - - -
2031-32 - - -
2032-33 - - -
2033-34 - - -
2034-35 - - -
2035-36 - - -
2036-37 - - -
2037-38 - - -
2038-39 - - -
2039-40 - - -
2040-41 - - -
2041-42 - - -
2042-43 - - -
20 Year Total - - -
Grand Total 800,000 - -
Project Description/Scope/Purpose
This project will establish a pedestrian mall on the 100 Block of Murphy Avenue (commonly known as "Historic Murphy Ave").
In 2022, Staff hired an accessibility consultant to evaluate existing conditions on Historic Murphy Avenue and recommend any modifications for the operation of the street dining program to conform with applicable state and federal regulations concerning accessibility. The consultant observed necessary improvements regarding equitable access from the sidewalks to the street table seating areas and recommended that (1) wheelchair accessible seating should be provided in the street dining areas for each restaurant and (2) accessible routes should be provided to such areas. Additionally, the parking bays to curb height will be raised to comply with accessibility requirements.
Project Evaluation and Analysis
Staff surveyed the community and businesses, used social media to announce the potential closure to vehicles, and presented several times at Sunnyvale Downtown Association (SDA) meetings. Feedback from the community and businesses showed strong support for banning vehicles on Historic Murphy Avenue and creating a permanent pedestrian mall. The construction needed to implement the pedestrian plaza, such as installation of bollards and pavement modifications or additional curb cuts, is within the scope of normal operational activities and streetscape improvements anticipated by the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP). The pedestrian mall also furthers the two main goals of the DSP’s North Washington District (DSP Section 5.4.2), which are to support a “lively street life” along the Historic Murphy Avenue, and to provide a link between the Caltrain station and the Downtown’s Commercial Core to encourage use of Caltrain.
Additionally, the proposed pedestrian mall project has been reviewed using an environmental checklist. The analysis in the checklist concludes that the proposed pedestrian mall is not a substantial change from the types of uses and activities that were analyzed in the previously certified program Environmental Impact Report. The project is located within an existing commercial area where the street life has historically included outdoor sidewalk dining and periodic special events.
Fiscal Impact
The project is funded out of the Capital Projects - Community Benefits Fund. The project will cost $800,000. It is anticipated that $700,000 will be for design and construction, and additional $100,000 is allocated for the potential design and construction of some items requested by Council outlined in RTC 23-0359.
The City currently spends about $50,000 annually cleaning the sidewalks and streets. Additionally, cleaning waste from the crows requires additional staff time and resources to keep the sidewalks and street clean. It is expected that this level of service would be ongoing.
Funding Sources
Capital Projects - Community Benefits Fund
Plans and Goals
CC - Community Character - CC-1: Distinguished City Image 836660 - Murphy Avenue Pedestrian Mall Improvements
Originating Year: 2022 Project Type: Downtown Department: 250 - Public Works Planned Completion Year: 2024/25 Category: Infrastructure Project Manager: Jason Jung 209
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