Solano County Transit (SolTrans) will celebrate with South Vallejo neighbors on Oct. 22 at the opening of the Gary Circle & Magazine St (stop ID 822085) bus stop and community garden.
SolTrans partnered with the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) and the city of Vallejo in 2019 to gather input from residents of Vallejo on transportation gaps and challenges and suggested solutions. As part of the Community Based Transportation Plan for Vallejo (CBTP), $260,000 was set aside to pay for transit-related projects in a participatory budgeting type process. Multiple bus stops throughout Vallejo received improvements in lighting, seating, shelters and system mapping. Along with numerous enhancements to several bus stops throughout Vallejo, two stops were identified to receive complete makeovers, Gary Circle & Magazine St (stop ID 822085) and Alameda & Ohio (stop ID 821009).
Two University of California Davis students, Ashely Gear and Katie Wong submitted a design for the Magazine Street and Gary Circle bus stop. The two students, both in their third year majoring in Landscape Architecture at UC Davis worked together to design the landscaping element of the stop in the South Vallejo neighborhood. The stop sits on a small island in an intersection that had a large dead tree, lots of ivy and vermin. The stop improvements include clearing the lot and installing a shelter, benches, lighting, trash can, community-free library, bulletin board and garden. The goal is to create a green, cooling space that can be used by neighbors and transit riders and reduce the heat index within a residential area.
“One of my favorite parts of designing is when I am able to bring smiles and comfort to the community with my design. I am very excited about this opportunity and I can’t wait to see what the final product will look like.” Said Katie Wong.
“My goal in life is to create special outdoor spaces that will impact the hearts and minds of those who visit.” Said Ashley Gear, regarding the project.
SolTrans will have lite refreshments and Halloween treats for kids at the event, all are welcome to join. Staff plan to break ground and begin working on the Alameda & Ohio project later this year.
