Walnut Creek Proposes $210K For Sidewalk Accessibility

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Walnut Creek could direct an unexpected $210,000 in federal funding toward downtown sidewalk improvements designed to make the area more accessible for people with disabilities.

The Walnut Creek City Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 15 on an amendment to the city's 2026-27 Annual Action Plan that would add the money to its Community Development Block Grant budget and allocate it for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements.

City staff identified the additional $210,000 during the fiscal year-end closeout after the City Council had already adopted its annual spending plan May 5.

Because the money was not included in the original budget, federal regulations and Walnut Creek's Citizen Participation Plan require the city to substantially amend its Annual Action Plan before spending the funds.

The city receives Community Development Block Grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The federal program helps communities address housing and development needs, with an emphasis on projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.

Walnut Creek's proposed amendment would classify the downtown sidewalk work as an eligible infrastructure and public facilities activity under the federal grant program.

The city opened a 30-day public comment period Sunday, Aug. 16, and will accept comments through Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The City Council will consider the amendment during its 6 p.m. Sept. 15 meeting in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St. Residents may participate in person or remotely.

Written comments may be submitted to Housing Analyst Jennifer Llamas at llamas@walnutcreekca.gov or 925-256-3544 by 8 a.m. Sept. 15. Residents may also email comments before the meeting to PublicComments@walnutcreekca.gov.

The proposed amendment is available for review by appointment during normal business hours at the Community Development Department at City Hall. Residents can also review the proposal and related Community Development Block Grant documents online.

People who need disability-related assistance to attend or participate in the meeting should contact the city clerk at 925-943-5818 at least 24 hours before the meeting.

The city's 2026-27 Annual Action Plan covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and marks the second year of Walnut Creek's 2025-30 Consolidated Plan.