21st Street is a commercial and residential street near the Paso Robles Event Center, home of the California Mid-State Fair. The street was established decades ago in a natural drainageway. A large area of west Paso Robles is tributary to 21st Street. Stormwater cannot infiltrate due to excessive paving. Large storms flood the street, cause erosion, and create traffic hazards. The City would like to upgrade five contiguous blocks of 21st Street, between Vine Street and Riverside Avenue, to a green/complete street that meets several objectives, including:
-
•Reduce the volume and intensity of stormwater runoff;
-
•Increase groundwater recharge;
-
•Improve pedestrian and bicyclist mobility;
-
•Improve community health and reduce air pollution;
-
•Shade the street with trees; and
-
•Promote infill and redevelopment.
The City envisions a linear park-like street with narrow roadways, bike lanes, pervious sidewalks, park benches, natural drainage features, multiple shade trees, and storyboards explaining the design for the public. The street would be a unique local example of how green design can provide multiple community benefits. It would help the City educate the development community and design professionals about green streets, and inform City efforts to change its storm drain master plan into a green streets master plan.
