Citrus Heights eyes improving appearance of sound walls

Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday will consider awarding a contract to move forward on a Sound Wall Beautification Project, using up to $155,000 in federal pandemic recovery funds.

According to a staff report for the council’s Feb. 8, 2024, meeting, funds from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were previously allocated by the council towards improving the aesthetics of sound walls along major community corridors. The project aims to mitigate regular graffiti tagging and general disrepair along various public-facing but privately owned sound barriers.

A total of eight bids were received by the city, ranging from $75,700 to as high as $347,500, the staff report says. The lowest bid, from H.B. Restoration, came in at roughly half the cost allocated.

The beautification effort comes after the council identified the need to upgrade the appearance of sound walls in May 2022, targeting walls that are highly visible but have suffered neglect. The project is to include power washing, painting, and the application of anti-graffiti coatings at “18 identified concrete, block, or masonry wall locations.”

Specific locations are not listed in the staff report, but a request for proposals document posted on the city’s website lists sections of roadway along Sunrise Boulevard, Tupelo Drive, Van Maren Lane, Old Auburn Road, Oak Avenue, Madison Avenue, Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks Boulevard, Auburn Boulevard and Antelope Road. Locations are described as “primarily privately owned, highly visible locations along major corridors.”

“This sound wall beautification project will seek to achieve consistency in appearance, selecting a limited palette of neutral colors, enhancing the visual aesthetics of arterials and gateways throughout our community,” the report says.

Additionally, the project will address an ongoing issue at one particular location on Greenback Lane across Indian River, where trash has reportedly accumulated regularly around tree wells. The plan includes installing reinforced locking gate panels to improve these areas aesthetically and functionally, with a budget of $35,000 derived from the savings of the initial project costs.

If approved by the council on Thursday, the sound wall beautification project is expected to be completed by August 2024, according to the staff report. Any remaining funds will be available for reallocation to other council-approved purposes.

Editor’s note: This article was edited by humans, but written with assistance from AI.