Alley Improvement Districts

Many of us would like to enhance the safety, quality and value of the neighborhoods where we live, where we work and where our children play. If your neighborhood or business district needs paved alleys, you may be eligible to take advantage of the Alley Improvement Program (AIP). This program can make your alley paving improvement a reality.

By forming an AIP, you and you neighbors can take the initiative to improve your community. Your neighborhood may help plan, implement and pay for these alleys.

To find out more about the Alley Improvement Program, begin by calling the Engineering Services Department at (760) 633-2770.    

After an initial meeting to determine whether your alley is eligible for the AIP, a petition with a rough cost estimate will be drafted for circulation in your neighborhood. A petition records the property owner support for your proposed project. For a successful project, property owners representing 100% of the area in the improvement district must sign the petition. The improvement district typically includes the property that has frontage on the improvement. When the petition has been signed by 100% of the owners in the project improvement district, it is returned to City.

At that time, the Engineering Department will prepare a staff report to City Council for authorization to prepare designs and specification and receive bids on the project. The City has established a matching fund to pay for up to half of the cost of the alley, at the discretion of the City Council. The remaining cost is the responsibility of the property owners. All affected property owners will be notified of the City Council meeting and will have an opportunity to speak to directly to the City Council regarding project at that time. Each property owner will have 30 days after the City Council meeting to pay their pro rata share of the costs at that time.    

After Council authorization and receipt of payment from all affected property owners, City staff will design the project and place the project out to bid. The project will be awarded, by Council action, the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

When the project is finished, the City will notify the property owners of any final payment or refund (based on actual cost).

For more information, call the Engineering Services Department at (760) 633-2770.