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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE MOVE DOWNTOWN FINAL REPORT ADDRESSING DOWNTOWN STOCKTON MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND LAND USE COMPATIBILITY
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Approving and adopting the Move Downtown Final Report; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the Resolution.
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Summary
In 2024, the City of Stockton partnered with the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), and San Joaquin Regional Transit District (SJRTD) on the implementation of a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant award through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The effort involved the development of a comprehensive, long-range action plan to guide transportation and land use investments in Downtown Stockton. The plan focuses on creating a safer, more connected, equitable, and economically vibrant multimodal district, anchored by the Robert J. Cabral ACE Station, San Joaquin Street Amtrak Station, and SJRTD’s Downtown Transit Center.
The development of the Move Downtown Final Report (MDFR) involved studying multimodal connections between the existing transit stations, while also analyzing the existing mobility and land use conditions in the Downtown, including constraints and areas of opportunity. The MDFR proposes a series of near-term activation strategies, mid-term commercial corridor strengthening activities, and long-term Downtown land use and policy actions to guide future grant and implementation efforts.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 2023, the City, in collaboration with SJCOG, SJRRC, and SJRTD, applied for and received a $450,000 award from Caltrans to conduct a robust and comprehensive multimodal transportation and land use study within the Downtown.
On December 5, 2023, the City Council adopted a resolution (Attachment A - Resolution 2023-12-05-1205) to accept and appropriate the $450,000 grant to support development of the study, with SJCOG serving as the primary recipient and the City as a subrecipient.
On December 3, 2024, Council authorized a contract with Mark Thomas & Company in the amount of $427,500 to develop the MDFR. (Attachment B - Motion 2024-12-03-1208) Their services included analyzing the multimodal connectivity and placemaking opportunities between the major transit assets, in addition to recommending infrastructure and programmatic improvements to support transit-oriented development.
Present Situation
The MDFR is a comprehensive, long-range framework to guide transportation and land use investment in Downtown Stockton. It focuses on creating a safer, more connected, equitable, and economically vibrant multimodal district. Centered on a one-square-mile study area anchored by the Robert J. Cabral ACE Station, Downtown Transit Center, and San Joaquin Street Amtrak Station; the MDFR synthesizes existing conditions analysis, extensive community and stakeholder engagement, and alignment with adopted City, regional, and State policies. The goal is to identify challenges and opportunities across mobility, land use, economic development, and community equity. An implementation roadmap, including phased actions, cost considerations, funding strategies, and performance tracking, positions the MDFR as a practical tool to support capital programming, grant readiness, and coordinated decision making that advances Downtown Stockton’s role as a regional multimodal and economic hub.
Throughout project implementation, the MDFR was shaped by a comprehensive, three-phase community outreach and engagement process. This effort was guided by a Stakeholder Working Group composed of twenty-four (24) agencies, service providers, advocacy groups, and community organizations. More than twenty (20) in-person and virtual engagement events, along with three surveys, reached over 1,200 participants, including residents, visitors, business owners, workers, and property owners.
The MDFR is included as Exhibit 1 to the Resolution. The Appendices to the Final Report can be found on the EDD landing page at www.stocktonca.gov/edd.
Notification
The City initiated a 30-day public review period for the Administrative Draft Report, which was made available online and in hard copy at the Economic Development Department. Public comments were submitted via email by Public Works staff, stakeholders, and members of the public; and were incorporated into the report. A presentation was also held on April 30, 2026 at the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The proposed resolution, and acceptance and adoption of the MDFR, has no financial impact on the City’s General Fund. Implementation of the MDFR will take place over time, and any projects, activities, or grant pursuits will be brought forward to Council for the appropriate authorization.
Attachment A - Resolution 2023-12-05-1205
Attachment B - Motion 2024-12-03-1208