Save Gualala got its start in 2019 when Caltrans tried to turn Gualala’s Main Street into a barren, four-lane strip mall.  With 1,650 signatures, our petition helped to stop that foolishness. And one year ago, we joined our neighbors in supporting Alternative 4A, a design that balanced the need for modest native landscaping with interim highway parking.  After a quarter-century of raucous debate, Gualalans came together on a compromise that would preserve our downtown charm for the next half-century.

But now Caltrans has a new scheme called “Alternative 4C” that would strip out ALL existing and planned landscaping in the very heart of Gualala – the area between the historic Gualala Hotel and the Hotel Breakers. Even the hedge in our photo would be gone. Why? Simply to make room for four more on-highway parking spaces in a town that already has over 600 off-highway spaces. 

Caltrans calls it “interim parking,” but there is no set “interim.” They acknowledge it would violate legal requirements of the Town Plan, but want to change OUR town plan to serve THEIR goals. Alt 4C could reignite divisive debates, require another Town Hall, and – in the end – could undo a quarter-century of careful plans to make our Main Street safer and more attractive. Don’t let it happen!

YOU CAN STOP THIS RIGHT NOW. Please send a short email telling the Gualala Municipal Advisory Council (GMAC), Caltrans, and the Mendocino Council of Governments to kill Alternative 4C and move ahead with Alternative 4A as our town demanded a year ago. Send it (with your name) to GMAC’s Streetscape Committee at GMAC95445@gmail.com.  The committee will forward all the comments to the full council, Caltrans, and MCOG.

Don’t let Caltrans turn our downtown in a 67-foot-wide sea of asphalt and concrete. Take a minute to send that email now.  Together, we really can Save Gualala.

PS: Want to do more?  Let us know and we’ll send you a few ideas. Thank you!