October 26, 2004 > Bay Street Project Falls Short of Funding

by Linda Stone

The expected grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Bay Street Project did not come through, sending the City of Fremont's Planning Department in a different direction.

MTC received over $100 million in grant requests and available funding was only $18 million. "We learned that we were not recommended for a capital grant," said Project Manager Jake Lavin. "We are disappointed and are evaluating our position to continue forward with the project."

In June 2004, the Fremont City Council approved a streetscape concept and adopted the Bay Street Planned District Rezoning Plan. The streetscape project would have been fully funded with the MTC grant.

The planned project would transform the street environment for a three-block stretch of Bay Street. It would eliminate13 curb cuts that remain from a row of 1950s houses, which are now commercial or mixed use. The plan would create a sidewalk in front of the buildings adding diagonal parking. Sidewalks would be rebuilt or added where none currently exist and crosswalks provided at three intersections. Bicycle facilities would be added and canopy trees planted and period-style street lamps installed with benches and landscaped planter areas.

Options such as scaling back the details or seek funding elsewhere are now being considered.