Facelift Planned for Buena Vista and Railroad Avenues

Project Engineer John Keane surveys the neighborhood

Streets shouldn’t turn into duck ponds every time it rains, but that’s been the unfortunate situation for an older Santee neighborhood north of State Route 52.

Today, most of the streets in the neighborhood, which is a mixture of residential and industrial land uses, show signs of “alligator cracking,” caused by age and inundation.

But thanks to an accelerated financing plan that combines developer fees with federal Community Development Block Grant funding, the flood-prone neighborhood surrounding Buena Vista and Railroad avenues will soon be transformed.

The city is planning to spend more than $3 million to eliminate chronic street flooding, improve traffic flow and enhance public safety. This will be accomplished by installing new storm drain pipes, resurfacing pavement, and, in some sections of the project, widening the street.  New curbs, gutters and sidewalks are also planned for parts of the neighborhood.

 “These much needed public improvements will not only increase traffic and pedestrian safety, but also will make the entire neighborhood more attractive and enhance property values,” said Deputy City Manager and Development Services Director Pedro Orso Delgado.

During construction, the project will cause some short-term inconvenience to residents, who may have to find alternative parking.  Residents may also have concerns about so-called encroachments, places where lawns, fences or other improvements were constructed within the city’s street right-of-way.
The project footprint includes Railroad Avenue, Buena Vista Avenue, and four adjacent streets:  Summercrest Lane, Summertree Lane, Lind Vern Court, and  Buena Valley Drive.

The city recently sent letters to about 250 residents within the project area advising them of the future improvements and inviting them to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, May 2.  That meeting, which is open to the public, will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Building 8P at the Santee City Hall complex, 10601 Magnolia Avenue.

The city anticipates awarding a construction bid by late 2013 or early 2014.

News and information on the project will also be posted on the city’s website at www.ci.santee.ca.us under the tab for “News & Information.”