Item 19 - City Council Work Study Session Regarding the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study

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City of Santa Ana | First Street Multimodal Corridor Technical Memorandum 7 Downtown Historic Center: Main Street to Grand Avenue This segment of First Street defines the southern edge of the City’s designated Downtown Core and Transit Center District. Main Street provides a key connection north to the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District and the new OC Streetcar, which links east to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center. The corridor is characterized by small-scale retail and shopping centers with surface parking lots. A landscaped median and mature shade trees contribute to a consistent streetscape, while sidewalks (7-8 feet wide with tree wells) support a comfortable pedestrian environment. The key exception is the section from Standard Avenue to Grand Avenue, where First Street narrows to four lanes . Figure 4 shows the walkability and bikeability ratings for the Downtown Historic Center with an example photo of the railroad undercrossing where there are four travel lanes . Challenges emerge in the quarter -mile stretch between Standard Avenue and Grand Avenue, where the Metrolink underpass creates a hostile walking environment with narrow 5-foot sidewalks, no shade, and no buffer from traffic. Bicycle facilities are minimal–aside from a short block between Main Street and Bush Street/Cypress Avenue, there are no designated bike lanes along this segment. The intersection of First Street and Downtown Plaza is a critical node for pedestrians – serving local residents, families, shoppers, bus riders, and students from the Edward B. Cole Sr. Academy. However, pedestrian safety improvements are needed. Additionally, between Downtown Plaza and Standard Avenue, the corridor has long block lengths without a north- south crossing (approximately half a mile) posing barriers to pedestrian connectivity. Figure 4. Downtown Historic Center: Main Street to Grand Avenue