The City of Grover Beach is excited to announce that it will be bringing a construction contract to the City Council in September for the West Grand Avenue Streetscape 4th-8th Street project. Planned since 2021 and guided by the West Grand Avenue Master Plan, the project will bring a robust set of improvements to a vital and growing segment of the City’s main corridor.
On June 26, the Grover Beach City Council approved final design plans for the estimated $4.2 million project. Key features include the installation of a landscaped center median, decorative crosswalks with enhanced safety features, sidewalk and curb improvements, painted Class II bike lanes and pavement rehabilitation.
“We are thrilled to see these West Grand Avenue improvements come to Grover Beach after so many years of careful planning and community consideration,” said Grover Beach Mayor Karen Bright. “This is yet another positive step toward achieving a safe, thriving and vibrant commercial corridor that builds on our past successes.”
Other specific highlights of the 4th-8th Street project include:
• Pedestrian improvements such as curb ramps, bulb outs, pedestrian beacons and sidewalk improvements at select locations
• New crosswalks at 4th and 6th streets, including a pedestrian beacon at 6th Street
• Drought-tolerant, landscaped center medians and street trees
• Pedestrian level streetlights
• Storm drain installation
Construction on the streetscape project is expected to last between six to eight months. Over the course of construction, the City will communicate closely with area business owners and property owners—and the general public—about traffic impacts, available detours and alternative access points for businesses.
Funding for the streetscape project is covered in part by a $1.8 million San Luis Obispo Council of Governments Community Betterment Grant awarded to the City. The remaining sources include a $2 million contribution from the City General Fund, funds from the Senate Bill 1 gas tax and other sources.
“With a mix of enhancements and safety features, the West Grand Avenue Streetscape project aims to create an enjoyable and secure environment for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike,” said Grover Beach City Manager Matt Bronson. “This is a critical step toward establishing Grover Beach as a model for smart urban planning, and it marks an exciting time for growth and investment in our City.”
The 4th-8th Street project comes in the wake of prior successful improvement projects on West Grand Avenue between the beach and Highway 1, 2nd-4th Streets and 8th-11th Streets. It will help advance Grover Beach’s Major City Goal of Economic Development and Community Promotion.
An emerging hub for new multi-family housing and commercial development in Grover Beach, the 4th-8th Street improvements will also support planned developments at 402 West Grand Avenue and 401 West Grand Avenue, which are anticipated to provide nearly 100 new housing units and ground-level retail space.