Santa Ana awarded $4M to improve the train station and bus stops and create green spaces

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency has received over $4 million in Clean California grants that will be used to refurbish our iconic train station, improve bus stops and create an urban green space.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) awarded the grants as part of the Clean California Local Grant Program and the Clean California Transit Partnership Program. Santa Ana’s total combined grant award is one of the largest of any city in California.

“These Clean California grants will continue our ongoing efforts to improve public transit accessibility, create new green spaces and better capture stormwater runoff in our densely populated community,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “We’re grateful to Caltrans for awarding this significant funding to the City of Santa Ana.”

The four projects receiving grants are:

• The Walnut Street Urban Greening project will convert a one-block section of public right-of-way into landscaped public outdoor open space in a park-deficient area of the city. It will feature multiple green street elements, including bioswales, pervious pavement that allows stormwater to enter the soil, and a subsurface stormwater infiltration system. It will also provide for a public art component by providing art wraps designed by local artists for 82 utility cabinets. This project was identified in the South Main Vision Plan, adopted by the Santa Ana City Council in 2016. The project was awarded a $2.2 million grant for the entire plan.
• The Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC) Painting & Wrought Iron Fencing project will enhance this iconic transportation hub’s aesthetic appeal and overall functionality. The project will repaint the exterior of the SARTC and repair or replace the wrought iron fencing to provide an appealing and pleasing commuting environment for the community and overall region. Additionally, the project will include ornamental wrought iron fencing replacement around the building as well as the refurbishment of the iconic Santa Ana signage in the courtyard. The grant amount is $1.475 million.
• The SARTC Outdoor Water Fountain Renovation project will renovate the SARTC water fountain by replacing the worn out equipment to make better use of the fountain water and electricity, which will increase water usage efficiency. The water fountain replacement will assist in revitalizing the SARTC, highlighting the facility’s unique character and improving the transit experience of our new and existing commuters. The grant amount is $500,000.
• The Santa Ana Bus Stop Improvements project will provide much-needed bus stop amenities at a total of 37 Orange County Transportation Authority bus stops within Santa Ana. Specifically, this project will provide one bus shelter, 34 benches, 28 trash bins, two trees and up to five spot sidewalk repairs. The grant amount is $398,000.

These grant programs were established by the state legislature under the $1.2 billion Clean California Program that is designed to remove litter, create jobs and beautify California.

About Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat and home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. About three-quarters of the City’s residents are Latino. About 1,400 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.