[2026 Update:    If you have not yet signed our petition, please do. The original petition appears below this update, but this note will tell you what we've achieved so far and what we're still working on.  Our Core Mission is to ensure the new plan conforms to our state-mandated coastal plan.  Unfortunately, we've been struggling to get state agencies to comply. 

Save Gualala wants to thank its 1,700-plus supporters for their tireless help during the past six years in restoring missing elements to the long-awaited Downtown Streetscape project. We’ve won several new safety features for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.  Your testimony plus over 180 letters to local, county, and state officials helped to shape a project that now includes:

·        ADA-compliant sidewalks on both sides
·        Four crosswalks with safety flashers
·        Two pedestrian safety islands
·        Flower beds at both entries to town
·        A county commitment to maintain landscaping
·        Bike lanes on both sides for kids and adults
·        Clear sightlines for drivers exiting parking lots
·        Turn pockets to turn into busy downtown areas
·        “Speed Feedback” signs for northbound and southbound lanes

To be sure, the current “landscaping” plan falls far short of what Caltrans showed to a crowded Town Hall in May 2023. That presentation included over 20,000 sq feet of colorful local plants throughout downtown. The current plan includes only the spreading of wildflower seeds on 5,100 sq feet at the northwest and southeast ends.  Plus, we are just learning of serious problems with past Caltrans wildflower seeding efforts.  With your strong support, Save Gualala appealed the landscaping issue to the state Coastal Commission, noting it violated several “strict requirements” of our LCP. However, our appeal was rejected by commission staff. We then urged the full commission to review the matter. But the commissioners – without even reading our rebuttal to the staff report – voted 12-0 last week to approve the project.

Save Gualala will pursue LCP-compliant landscaping options with appropriate agencies, but we don’t plan to file a costly lawsuit that could further delay this much-needed project while putting millions in funding at risk.  Work on the project is scheduled to start this year. 

[ORIGINAL PETITION FOLLOWS]

Our 2002 Town Plan aims to make Hwy 1 “a scenic element of the Gualala townscape” with native landscaping, sidewalks, separated bike lanes and 3 auto lanes that better reflect our small town’s beautiful natural surroundings. A 2019 survey found 89% of us back this vision to make our Main St safer and more attractive for kids, seniors and visitors.

Now some are pushing what some call "a sterile Strip Mall" concept with 4 asphalt lanes (2 driving, 2 parking) dividing stores on one side from the other. They’d add a few dozen costly, taxpayer-paid highway parking spots where most people already use 600 off-highway spaces. They’ve stripped out the landscaping and may even ask kids to share Hwy 1 with semis hauling gravel and concrete. As planned, the project would require concrete retaining walls.

Many small business owners, environmentalists and other locals know this would destroy our fragile hotel, restaurant and retail economy. 

Caltrans ran into engineering problems while drawing up the plans for this. The agency is now seeking public input on what the community wants. The Gualala Municipal Advisory Council advised them to return to a three-lane concept and follow the Town Plan requirements while separately assuring on-highway parking for the beloved Surf Market for a fixed interim, giving its landlord time to complete a new parking lot.

HELP US SAVE GUALALA RIGHT NOW!  Sign here to tell Caltrans to stick to the 3-lane Town Plan vision for Gualala.