One the most important roads in Soledad is Front Street. It runs through downtown and is the main road that takes you in and out of the city. It runs parallel to Highway 101; historically, Front Street was part of the highway.
Since Monday, Front Street has been buzzing with construction workers, with signs alerting drivers and pedestrians one of its lanes is closed. It’s the first improvement in the area since the mid-2000s.
This project has been in the works for several years but it was paused during the pandemic. Improvements include replacing sidewalks and trees, as well as addressing curb, gutters and drainage issues. It will also improve pedestrian safety, ADA access, intersection visibility and beautification (street art and landscape maintenance are in the plans).
In May, the city council approved a $3.9 million contract with Monterey Peninsula Engineering and $70,400 for a mural project with Arts Council for Monterey County. The improvements portion is funded with Measure X funds and the art project with American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The scope of the project is 1.2 miles from Nestles to Moranda roads.
One the issues in the area are caused by tree roots that lift the concrete sidewalks, creating uneven surfaces and blocking drainage systems.
“The large trees we have in the sidewalks are creating tripping hazards, and some of the businesses can't even open their front door,” says Dan Wilcox, director of Public Works. Wilcox adds this project isn’t a revitalization but it seeks to improve the experience for shoppers and business owners.
Business owners welcome the repairs since it will make it safer for pedestrians to walk on the sidewalks.
"It might affect us but repairs are necessary,” says Sergio Gastelum, owner of Max Music.
City staff worked with business owners to find the best approach to implement the improvements while keeping businesses running. Instead of closing the street completely, staff will close only one of the lanes to minimize impact on businesses. The detour will be through Monterey Street.
To do this, the project will move in a sequential process, removing concrete from a block one day and replacing it the following one, meaning only portions of the sidewalk will be torn out.
Gastelum says he’s glad the area won’t be closed completely. His business has been on Front Street for over 20 years and he remembers the previous time the area was revitalized.
“It was worse,” Gastelum says, noting Front Street was closed both ways. “The city told us it would be ready in three months and it took almost eight months.”
The project is estimated to be completed by January.