A public meeting was held on Jan. 23 at Gustine City Hall to discuss the upcoming construction of a mini roundabout at the intersection of 5th Street and 4th Avenue in downtown Gustine.
The session, led by Danny Reed, Project Manager from Gouveia Engineering, provided a detailed overview of the project and invited feedback from local business owners and residents.
“This project has been in the works for quite some time, and we have grant funding available to make it happen,” Reed explained. “Tonight, we want to discuss the project’s scope, impacts, and ways we can mitigate those impacts. Your input is crucial as we finalize plans and prepare for construction.”
The roundabout, funded through a CMAQ grant and Measure V, aims to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety while addressing long-standing infrastructure issues. The scope includes the construction of a mountable center island, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, ADA-compliant ramps and parking facilities, and drainage improvements. Unlike larger roundabouts, the design will feature a low-profile, drive-over center for accessibility by larger vehicles and emergency responders.
“The goal is to modernize the downtown area while maintaining access to businesses and minimizing disruption,” Reed stated. “The project is expected to go out for bid in late spring or early summer, with construction planned for mid-to-late summer 2025. The anticipated timeline for completion is 12 weeks.”
Local business owners voiced concerns about accessibility and parking during construction. Mikayla Dutra, owner of MK Boutique, raised the issue of accommodating elderly customers. “My business is right in the middle of it. How are my clients supposed to get to our building, especially since we have a lot of elderly clients?” she asked.
Reed assured attendees that access would be a priority. “We’re working on plans to maintain as much access as possible during construction. This may include alternate pathways or temporary accommodations to ensure businesses can continue serving their customers.”
Ben Parolini, a pharmacist at Pioneer Drug, was concerned about handicap-accessible parking being moved farther away. “You have to walk further. Look at my handicap parking, way down here. That’s quite a bit when you have someone with a walker or cane. We already have people tripping all the time.”
City staff acknowledged these concerns, promising to explore adjustments to parking layouts and access routes. They emphasized the importance of community feedback in creating a plan that minimizes disruption.
Another major concern raised during the meeting was how construction would impact major downtown events like the Fourth of July Parade and the Our Lady of Miracles Festa. A question asked for clarification on how the timeline would affect these long-standing community traditions.
“What’s going to happen for the Fourth of July Parade going down Main?” Flores asked. “And the Festa if this is still happening that far out, how’s that going to work? Those events bring in a lot of people, and if Main Street is torn up, that’s going to be a big issue.”
Reed acknowledged the concern and stated that city staff would be working closely with event organizers to minimize disruption. “We understand how important these events are to the community,” he said. “As we finalize the schedule, we will explore ways to phase construction or provide temporary access to ensure these traditions continue as smoothly as possible.”
Following the meeting, business owners continued to share their concerns about the project and aspects they hoped the city and developers would consider moving forward.
Dutra expressed deeper worries about how her mostly elderly clientele would safely access her shop, particularly regarding the distance they would need to walk. Additionally, she raised concerns about lighting and safety risks, particularly for women walking to their vehicles at night.
“These concerns aren’t about financial hits during construction,” Dutra said. “My clients are like family to me, and I want to make sure they are safe and able to enjoy their visit to my boutique.”
Anthony Parreira, owner of Parreira’s Auto Repair, spoke about broader challenges businesses already face in downtown Gustine and how the project could add to those struggles.
“If you think of business in general, and I think I could speak for this because I’ve been in business for 40 years in the same location, downtown is not very friendly to businesses. The issue is parking. If you take away parking in that corner over there, it’s going to have an impact,” Parreira said.
He also highlighted the rising costs and regulations on businesses, particularly for those handling hazardous materials like auto repair shops. “Every year that goes by, the cost of doing business goes whether it’s hazmat fees, waste tire regulations, or just the general overhead of having a brick-and-mortar business,” he explained.
Andrew Quintal, owner of Wolfsen’s Meat and Sausage, suggested the city designate reserved parking spaces for businesses affected by the roundabout project.
“There are many communities that do this on main streets with limited parking, they designate one or two spots per business to make sure they aren’t taken up by people who aren’t even customers,” Quintal said. “The city really wants to show they care about businesses, that’s the least they could do since they’re already going to be taking away parking spaces with this project.”
The meeting concluded with an invitation for attendees to review detailed maps and plans and provide additional input. Reed encouraged ongoing collaboration, saying, “We want to make sure this project serves the community for the next 30 to 40 years. Your input helps us build something that truly meets Gustine’s needs.”
As the project moves forward, the city plans to hold additional meetings to keep the community informed and involved. While construction may bring short-term challenges, the improvements are expected to enhance the functionality and vibrancy of downtown Gustine for years to come.
