West Grand Avenue Streetscape Project Receives $1.6 Million Grant, Bridging Funding Gap

The City of Grover Beach is excited to announce that it has received $1.6 million in additional grant funding for the West Grand Avenue Streetscape 4th-8th Street project. The recently awarded San Luis Obispo County Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Community Betterments Grant will help fully fund the project and allow construction to commence this Spring.

"We are thrilled and grateful for SLOCOG's support of this vital streetscape project," said Grover Beach Mayor Karen Bright. "Our Council looks forward to the transformational change it will deliver for our community, enhancing safety and accessibility for all on West Grand Avenue."

Planned since 2021 and guided by the West Grand Avenue Master Plan, the streetscape project will bring a robust set of improvements to West Grand Avenue between 4th and 8th streets. Key project features include a new landscaped center median, decorative crosswalks with enhanced safety features, pavement rehabilitation and painted Class II bike lanes.

Other specific project highlights include:

• Pedestrian improvements such as curb ramps, bulb outs, pedestrian beacons and sidewalk improvements at select locations
• New crosswalks at 4th, 6th and 8th streets, including a pedestrian beacon at 6th Street
• Street trees
• Pedestrian level streetlights
• Storm drain installation

At the Jan. 8 Grover Beach City Council meeting, the Council authorized City staff to re-advertise the project for construction bids, with a target groundbreaking date of April. When the streetscape was initially put out for bid in Fall 2023, the City received just one bid at a total cost of nearly $7.6 million - $3.4 million above the project budget.

Since then, the City has reevaluated project funding options, leading to the additional $1.6 million grant approved by the SLOCOG board of directors on Jan. 10, nearly doubling the project's total grant funding support to $3.4 million. The remaining funding sources for the project include a previously allocated $2 million contribution from the City General Fund, $1.86 million in Local Transportation Funds, funds from Senate Bill 1, gas tax revenue and other sources.