Item 12 - Select Locally Preferred Alternative for the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study

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Select Locally Preferred Alternative for the First Street Multimodal Boulevard Study May 5, 2026 Page 6 • High-visibility crosswalk markings and upgraded signage to improve pedestrian safety. • Transit Signal Priority (TSP) to improve bus reliability and on-time performance. • GPS-based Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) for improving response times. • Upgraded bus stop amenities, including improved accessibility and lighting. • Corridor beatification including sustainable, native, and aesthetically-pleasing trees, wayfinding, and landscaping, making the corridor inviting for businesses and residents. These shared elements establish a consistent foundation for user safety and accessibility, while the individual concepts differ in how travel lanes, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and transit treatments are configured. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FEEDBACK The City conducted an extensive outreach effort from August through December 2025, including workshops, neighborhood meetings, pop-up events, surveys, and digital engagement that included: • A dedicated project website, • 3 multiday in-person workshops at the Roosevelt-Walker Community Center, • 11 neighborhood meetings, • 10 pop-up events, • In-person outreach was augmented with a robust digital campaign, resulting in one virtual workshop, over 3,000 website views, 8,584 unique social media interactions and impressions, 521 online survey responses, and two YouTube informational videos with 875 views, • Coordination with more than 35 community-based organizations and stakeholders, and • Outreach also included both internal and external agencies such as the Orange County Fire Authority, Santa Ana Police Department, and City of Tustin. This effort reached a broad cross-section of the community and generated consistent feedback. Key themes included: • Strong support for safer walking and bicycling conditions • Preference for physically separated bicycle facilities • Desire for shorter and more frequent crossing opportunities • Support for traffic calming balanced with concerns about congestion • Interest in additional shade, landscaping, and improved bus stop amenities Among the alternatives presented, Option 2 emerged as the preferred concept, as it most effectively balances safety, accessibility, and traffic operations while aligning with community priorities and City policy goals. WORK STUDY SESSION On February 17, 2026, the City Council held a Work Study Session to review the study's findings, including existing conditions, community outreach results, and the