Council Approves Tapo Street Project

Making a leap toward improving the city’s infrastructure and business district, the City Council has given the go-ahead to begin initial work on the Tapo Street Revitalization Project and solicit bids for a major street rehabilitation program.

The council voted unanimously on Monday to award contracts totaling about $954,000 to several firms to begin making initial improvements to Tapo Street.

The once-successful business district has fallen into disrepair since the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The contractors hired by the city will begin refurbishing the street’s medians and sidewalks and will also conduct initial construction surveys and soils tests.

The work is expected to begin in June and be completed by Aug. 25.

Afterward, city officials hope to initiate the second phase of the project, which will include street repaving and lighting installation.

The council also gave permission to the city’s Public Works Department to begin soliciting bids for a major street rehabilitation program.

The city is planning to repave and refurbish Cochran Street, from Boalt Avenue to First Street; Stearns Street, from Los Angeles Avenue to Alamo Street, and Alamo Street, from Gage Avenue to Erringer Road.

At an estimated cost of the project is $2.3 million.

In addition to repaving the street, the rehabilitation program will include some curb replacement, intersection light improvements, sign replacement and re-striping.

With the solicitation process approved, city officials anticipate both phases of construction to begin by July 6.