Council awards CR Associates design contract for Connect Main Street phases 2–3, 5–0 vote

Council voted 5–0 to award agreement number 2026‑23 to CR Associates for the design of Connect Main Street phases 2 and 3, with authorization for the city manager to execute necessary documents. The staff presentation described design elements including a one‑way conversion for part of Main Street, protected bike lanes, a decomposed‑granite pathway, a raised median at San Miguel Avenue, ADA and grade‑separation work at the rail crossing, stormwater BMPs, and space for a pocket park or community garden. Staff said the grant award includes $374,000 in design funds and $4,500,000 in construction funds; the city must submit final PS&E to Caltrans by the end of January to secure construction allocation.

Mayor Snow moved and Council member Mendoza seconded the motion to award the contract. The clerk confirmed the authorization amount as $373,893 and called the roll; the motion carried 5–0. Residents and councilmembers during the discussion urged benches, native/Kumeyaay plantings, scannable interpretive monuments, lighting and dog‑friendly features; staff noted some elements (e.g., monuments or community garden) were part of the grant scoring but that construction and additional features could be phased pending available funds and Caltrans approvals.