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The Redwood City Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to confirm that the city’s proposed 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program, which covers infrastructure and safety projects, aligns with the city’s General Plan, a long-term blueprint for growth and development.
As proposed, the city would allocate about $72.9 million to support 59 capital projects in fiscal year 2025–26, like installing bike lanes, enhancing road safety, increasing ADA accessibility and improving parking.
Associate Planner Evelyn Garcia said that confirming consistency with the General Plan does not guarantee any project will be built or funded, as each must still undergo environmental review and receive City Council approval.
During the commission discussion, Commissioner Craig Robinson praised the importance of ADA improvements in the CIP, especially curb ramp upgrades and safer intersections. He shared a personal story about pushing his elderly mother in a wheelchair around their neighborhood and how uneven sidewalks and a lack of proper curb cuts make mobility difficult and dangerous.
“Our population is aging…” Robinson said. “And it makes a big difference to have those gutter curb cuts.”
Commissioners also expressed strong interest in the city’s proposed parking-related projects, particularly the pilot program that would open the underused county parking garage for overnight residential parking.
“Parking is always a problem downtown, but using that excess parking that already exists in the county garage after hours…that’s really great to see,” Commissioner Maggie Cornejo said.
CIP is a budgeting tool used to plan and allocate funding for a wide range of infrastructure projects, including transportation, parks, drainage, and public facilities.
The $252 million CIP outlines funding for 59 projects, ranging from transportation upgrades to park renovations and street safety enhancements.
During the staff presentation, Associate Planner Evelyn Garcia said the General Plan serves as the benchmark for evaluating such new projects to ensure they support the city’s long-term goals and priorities.
Redwood City’s General Plan, adopted on Oct. 11, 2010, outlines the city’s development framework through 2030. According to Sue Exline, assistant director of community development and transportation, the General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 2010. Since then, the city has amended several elements—including housing, safety and environmental justice policies—to comply with state law, but has no plans for a full update.
The Redwood City Council reviewed the CIP at its April 14 meeting. No formal votes were taken during the meeting, but council members provided input to help shape the final budget before it is brought back for approval.
The city council will adopt the final budget on June 23.
