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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 13, No. 33
New gateway to downtown by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
Locals have always known that downtown Brentwood includes the commercial area between First and Second streets. But as of this week, everyone passing through will know they’ve set foot in the historic heart of the city: the gateway monument has come to town. A dozen workers installed the new Oak Street Gateway Monument this week, creating an official entrance to the downtown area. Designed by architect Lance Carnnell of SDG Architecture in Brentwood, the new monument is a metaphorical gate into the heart of Brentwood. “I wanted to design something that is uniquely Brentwood,” Carnnell said. “What sets Brentwood apart is the agrarian culture. You
Photo by Samie Hartley
Traffic rolls through the new gateway arch installed this week on Oak Street. drive around and you see the farms, the fruit orchards, the produce stands. All this agriculture used to
be divided by fences and gates. With this design, we are opening the gate and inviting people to experience
Brentwood.” At the center of the design rests a multi-layered rendering in steel of Mt. Diablo and its surrounding hills. Across the arch reads “Downtown Brentwood” on both sides. On the supporting pillars will be set two tactile, way-finding maps of the downtown area; local landmarks will be raised to be conspicuous to the touch. The pillars also feature insets of bronzed locks, latches and keys to maintain the gate theme. Carnnell hopes the community will take time to discover all the little details the archway has to offer. With the main arch installed this week, the additional art elements, including the maps, will be installed in the upcoming weeks. To finish it off, LED lighting will be installed see Gateway page 17A
Cities ready for highway handover by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The cities of Brentwood and Oakley are one step closer to sealing the deal with CalTrans (California Department of Transportation) and finally taking control of their respective Highway 4 roadways. The Brentwood and Oakley city councils have approved the formal cooperative agreements with CalTrans for the transfer and handover of State Route 4 and the State Route 4 Bypass to their local jurisdictions. And because CalTrans has determined that each city is exempt from the usual 90day CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) notifications – due to the agency’s ongoing familiarity with the decades-old projects – the process has been accelerated, and the official handovers are expected to take place by the end of the year. “The reason this is coming up now,” said Debra Galey, management analyst for the City of Brentwood, “is because the Bypass was
constructed as an extension of State Route 4 and now that sections one, two and three are nearly complete, CalTrans is ready to take it into the state highway system, which means that the state can now relinquish it to the local cities.” For both Brentwood and Oakley – which have long anticipated the transfer – the handover will finally afford them the opportunities to build their own civic autonomy and maintain local control. “To control the major thoroughfare is huge for any community,” said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “And right now we don’t control the landscaping, traffic signs, encroachments, closures, etc. But once we do have control, we can commence improving the roadway and access and landscaping so that Main Street can become something we can be proud of.” The transfer also comes with money from the state to assist the cities in maintaining the roadways. Brentwood will receive $678,000;
Photo by Stacey Chance
A truck drives through the intersection of Brentwood Boulevard and Second Street this week. Also designated as State Route 4, Brentwood Boulevard will be turned over to the city later this year when the Highway 4 Bypass becomes the new Route 4. Oakley $1,471,000. Oakley’s dollars are earmarked to improve Main Street from Bridgehead Road to Big Break Road and install drainage upgrades in the downtown area. “Brentwood’s money will come as part of the transfer/handover to the
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August 19, 2011
Brilliance in a bottle
An East County grape grower’s expertise is converting the region’s soil and climate into fistfuls of awards. Page 1B
Cop radio controversy A high-tech, big-ticket communications system is under scrutiny following a troubling review. Page 3A
‘The Storm’ flattens foes
A local kickboxer’s recent triumph gave a boost to her already impressive bevy of belts. Page 21A
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city from the state and will be used for conditioning of the pavement, repairs and replacements to sidewalks, curbs and gutters,” said Galey. “It’s all moving in the right direction. Things are see Highway page 17A
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go to news/press releases A county transportation committee is looking for a new member.
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