Colfax approves downtown connectivity, improvement plan

The city of Colfax approved its Downtown Connectivity/Main Street Improvement Plan during the March 13 council meeting. Colfax received funding from the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant to look into what improvements could be made for the downtown area. The plan serves as a 50-year roadmap. During the Jan. 24 workshop, Josh Meyer, a project manager with CivicWell, said the plan identifies and develops concepts for a revitalized downtown, including improvements to visibility and wayfinding as well as using underutilized pavement space to improve cyclist and pedestrian facilities and beautifying downtown Colfax. Councilmember Larry Hillberg again broached the topic of big rigs parking in the middle of streets while making deliveries and noted the issue needed to be addressed. "When they can park on the street blocking parking spaces that support our businesses, we need a plan and I'm not sure what the plan is. … I think it's becoming worse, not better," he said. "And in the next 40-year context, it's going to get way worse." The consultant team confirmed the recommendations in the plan include looking at parking regulations as part of aspects that are implemented in the future. Three residents provided comments noting agreement with Hillberg about the trucks, there appeared to be a lack of participation in the plan and the request for the city to implement the smaller projects as the progression will help the community. The council approved the plan in a unanimous 4-0 vote. Councilmember Trinity Burruss was absent. More information about the plan and the report are available at ghd.mysocialpinpoint.com/colfaxmainstreet.