REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Approval of Location and Design of the Rainbow Crosswalk Project
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City’s FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget (CIP Budget) includes $100,000 for a Rainbow Crosswalk project. This project was added during the June 25, 2024 City Council meeting, where Council directed staff to install one rainbow-colored crosswalk in the City. The concept of a rainbow crosswalk was originally proposed through a written petition submitted by previous Councilmember Becker on October 11, 2021 and was also included on the City Council’s Priority Setting list. Rainbow-colored crosswalks have been utilized by many municipalities as a display of support for the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) community.
DISCUSSION
Staff researched regulatory guidelines related to rainbow crosswalks, explored rainbow crosswalk installations in other municipalities, identified potential locations in Santa Clara, and developed design concepts. Since aesthetic treatments at crosswalks are viewed as forms of artwork, the Rainbow Crosswalk project was presented to the Cultural Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council regarding the art design and installation location.
Regulatory Guidance
In June 2024, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that aesthetic surface treatments, such as rainbow-colored artwork in crosswalks, are not considered traffic control devices. Consequently, these treatments are not regulated by the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which the City follows for the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices in Santa Clara. It should be noted that while rainbow-colored artwork can be added on roadways, traditional roadway markings, including crosswalk markings (i.e. white pavement markings), must still be installed, and cannot be entirely replaced by artwork.
Location
The following characteristics are recommended for the location of a rainbow-colored crosswalk to maintain/enhance traffic safety:
• Pedestrian Activity: Locations should have higher than average pedestrian traffic in order for the artwork to enhance the visibility of both the crosswalk and pedestrians.
• Lower Vehicle Volume and Speed: The selected location should have lower-than-average vehicle volume and speed levels, allowing the artwork to be more noticeable to motorists without causing distractions that might disrupt orderly traffic movements.
• Crosswalk Locations: Within Santa Clara, there are crosswalks at various locations, including signalized intersections, stop sign-controlled intersections, and uncontrolled crosswalks (locations without stop or signal controls). For uncontrolled crosswalks, locations can be at an intersection or at mid-block (standalone and in the middle of a block). It is recommended that a rainbow crosswalk only be considered for stand-alone crosswalks such as those at mid-block, at a stop sign crosswalk, or at an uncontrolled crosswalk. It is not recommended that a rainbow crosswalk be located at signalized intersections due to the higher level of traffic activity at these locations.
Based on these desired characteristics, the following two locations have been identified as the best candidates for the installation of a rainbow crosswalk:
• Monroe Street at Franklin Street (staff recommendation)
• Warburton Avenue crosswalk at City Hall to Triton Museum
Aerial photos and images of these locations are provided in Attachment 1.
Rainbow-Colored Artwork
Staff researched rainbow crosswalks installed in other municipalities (Attachment 2) and recommends a design that incorporates the relevant LGBTQIA+ colors consistent with the colors utilized for the City’s Pride Flag raising ceremony in June 2024 (Attachment 3). The proposed colors include: (1) the original Pride flag colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet and (2) additional colors added recently including black, brown, pink, light blue, and white. Each color and what it represents is indicated below:
• Red - Life
• Orange - Healing
• Yellow - Sunlight
• Green - Nature
• Blue - Serenity
• Violet - Spirit
• Black and Brown - People of Color
• Pink, light blue and White - Transgender community, reflecting traditional gender colors and those who identify outside the binary
To facilitate ease of installation and on-going maintenance of the rainbow-colored artwork, staff recommends a design featuring individual stripes of rainbow colors that run perpendicular to a pedestrian’s path of travel (also known as a ladder design crosswalk). Staff’s recommended design is included as Attachment 4.
Estimated Construction and Maintenance Cost
The estimated construction cost for the preformed colored thermoplastic rainbow crosswalk is approximately $35,000. The annual maintenance cost, which includes periodic cleaning, is estimated at approximately $1,000 per year. The expected lifespan of the rainbow crosswalk is between five and 10 years, depending on the volume of vehicle traffic that passes over it.
Cultural Commission Review and Recommendation
On January 6, 2025, staff presented the Rainbow Crosswalk Project to the Cultural Commission. The Cultural Commission reviewed the project scope, budget, and staff recommendations. Staff recommended that the Cultural Commission recommend to the City Council that (1) the rainbow crosswalk be installed at the Monroe Street at Franklin Street location, and (2) that the rainbow artwork be designed with individual stripes of rainbow colors that run perpendicular to a pedestrian’s path of travel (i.e. ladder design). The Cultural Commission discussed the proposed locations and artwork and focused on the locations in terms of community visibility and suitability.
Following the staff presentation, the Cultural Commission voted to recommend the following:
• Location: The crosswalk along the southside of the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Anna Drive was proposed, which was an alternative location not recommended by staff. It is also important to note that the Cultural Commission did discuss that their second recommendation (if their first recommendation was not approved by Council) would be the crosswalk at Monroe Street and Franklin Street, as recommended by staff.
• Rainbow-Colored Artwork: A ladder-style crosswalk with rainbow-colored stripes running perpendicular to pedestrian travel, as recommended by staff.
The Cultural Commission recommended the location at the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Anna Drive because they felt there was increased visibility from higher traffic volumes on Scott Boulevard (Attachment 5).
April 3, 2025 City Council Priority Setting Session 2025
At the April 3, 2025 City Council Priority Setting Session, staff provided an update and presentation on the Rainbow Crosswalk Project (Attachment 6).
Staff Recommendation
Based on a review of the proposed criteria for installation of a rainbow crosswalk, staff recommends that the Council approve the installation of a rainbow crosswalk with a rainbow-colored ladder design at the existing crosswalk at Monroe Street at Franklin Street (Attachment 4). Staff recommends this location for the following reasons:
• Location Characteristics: The crosswalk at Monroe Street and Franklin Street better aligns with the staff’s recommended location characteristics mentioned above.
• Events: The typical route for the Annual Parade of Champions crosses the intersection of Monroe Street and Franklin Street, increasing visibility of the crosswalk during this notable event. Furthermore, the area is home to the Santa Clara Farmers Market and such events as the Santa Clara Street Dance.
• Inconsistent Design: The Scott Boulevard and Anna Drive location would feature only one rainbow crosswalk out of four crosswalks at the intersection resulting in an inconsistent design.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt for the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 “Existing Facilities” as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the project is conceptually estimated to be $35,000, which includes both design and construction. Funding of $100,000 is included in the Streets and Highways Capital Fund for this project. Additionally, there will be an estimated $1,000 annual cost to maintain the Rainbow Crosswalk after installation. This maintenance cost, which is expected to be incurred starting in FY 2025/26, will be included as part of future budget development after construction is completed. Depending on the location for the Rainbow Crosswalk, it is also estimated that the Rainbow Crosswalk will need to be fully reconstructed within 5-10 years.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Culture Commission and the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Determine that the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations
2. Approve the location of the Rainbow Crosswalk project at the crosswalk at Monroe Street and Franklin Street
3. Approve the location of the Rainbow Crosswalk project at the crosswalk along the southside of intersection of Scott Boulevard and Anna Drive
4. Approve the design of the Rainbow Crosswalk as a ladder-style crosswalk with individual stripes of rainbow colors that run perpendicular to a pedestrian’s path of travel
RECOMMENDATION
...Recommendation
Alternatives 1, 2, and 4
1. Determine that the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations;
2. Approve the location of the Rainbow Crosswalk project at the crosswalk at Monroe Street and Franklin Street; and
4. Approve the design of the Rainbow Crosswalk as a ladder-style crosswalk with individual stripes of rainbow colors that run perpendicular to a pedestrian’s path of travel.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Rainbow Crosswalk Locations
2. Sample Rainbow Crosswalks
3. Rainbow Flag Sample
4. Staff Recommendation - Location and Design
5. Cultural Commission Recommended Location
6. April 3, 2025 Presentation on the Rainbow Crosswalk Project