Highway 99:

1
Highway 99 The Main Street of the San Joaquin
Valley
2
Transportation, Economic, Social, and Cultural
Artery of the Valley

• Links and Unifies the region
• Over 280 Miles
• 8 Counties
• 2 Caltrans Districts
• Improvements will drive economic development

3
In Recent Decades, the Highway has
become more like a Back Alley

• Depresses Valleys Image
• Hinders the Economy
• Squanders Unique Potential

4
Without collaborative action, the Highway 99
corridor will only deteriorate further

• Poorly planned Development
• Diminished View Shed
• Loss of Agricultural Heritage
• Billboard Proliferation
• Poor Air Quality

5
San Joaquin Valleys Vision for Highway 99
Highway 99 as Main Street of the Valley

• Reflects regions history, culture, and
  potential
• Generates lasting economic, social, and
  environmental benefits

6
From Bakersfield to Sacramento Highway 99 is
hurting and deserves

• Better Road Conditions
• Consistent Landscaping
• Improved Views
• Reduced Blight

7
Highway 99 faces imminent and potentially
irrevocable harm. It also possesses a potential
solution, a last chance for people to step
forward and preserve their landscape before its
too late - Meg Maguire, President, Scenic
America
8
The Highway 99 Taskforce Supported by the
Great Valley Center, Scenic
California, Collaborative Economics

• Builds on and expands existing efforts
• Provides a focal point for connecting grassroots
  efforts
• Emphasizes positive benefits for the entire
  region
• Creates a structure to do large-scale
  improvements
• Leverages greater resources through coordinated
  efforts

9
The Highway 99 Task Force A cross section of
the San Joaquin Valley

• Including
• Business People
• Local Leaders
• Policy Makers
• Community Organizations
• Advocacy Groups

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Tools and Resources

• Regional Strategy Workbook describes
• Shared Vision
• Desired Benefits
• Assets and Obstacles
• Potential Improvements
• Website tracks progress www.greatvalley.org/99

11
Laying the Foundation What is being done
now?

• Assets and challenges are being inventoried
• Scenic inventory compiled by Scenic California

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Regional Projects

• Community Gateways
• Establish gateways for every community along
  Highway 99 corridor
• Enable each city to develop a unique
  identification/landmark gateway

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Regional Projects

• Community Gateways
• Development Standards
• Achieve consistent ordinances / policies along
  the corridor regarding
• Billboards
• Cell Towers
• Landscaping
• Development / Land Use

14
Regional Projects

• Community Gateways
• Development Standards
• Travel / Economic Promotion
• Pull travelers off Highway 99 by promoting the
  range of world-class magnets through a travel
  information system and coordinated marketing
  efforts

15
Regional Projects

• Community Gateways
• Development Standards
• Travel / Economic Promotion
• Environmental Preservation / Scenic Restoration
• Highway 99 becomes noticeably cleaner
• Inventory, prioritize, and promote specific
  projects along the corridor

16
What Will Happen Next?

• In the coming months, the Highway 99 Task Force
  will
• Create the overall framework for corridor
  transformation
• Begin actual improvement projects
• Seek longer-term, ongoing support for the
  corridor

17
Extensive Media Outreach will continue
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What Can We Do?

• Current and Potential Community Efforts to
  Improve Scenic Quality on Highway 99
• Organize local clean-up and planting efforts
• Create or improve city gateways
• Adopt community development / design standards
• Conserve agricultural lands and open space
  through scenic easements and land use policy
• Participate in regional travel / economic
  promotion efforts

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Great Valley Center 911 13th Street Modesto, CA
95356 [phone] www.greatvalley.org/99 info_at_g
reatvalley.org