Report Prepared by Jennifer Parsley, Assistant City Clerk and Frank Quintero, Deputy City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: High Speed Rail Project Update - Merced Station Presented by the High Speed Rail Authority and Staff is Requesting Direction from the Merced City Council
REPORT IN BRIEF
Representatives from the High Speed Rail team will provide an update to Council regarding the Merced Station Project. Staff is then inquiring of Council if they desire to provide action and response to the High Speed Rail Authority.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council based on the presentation and update provided by the High Speed Rail Authority. Council may select from the following options or provide alterative direction:
A. Vote to support or oppose the proposed conceptual High Speed Rail Station relocation from Downtown Merced to Southeast Merced upon consideration of the presentation; or,
B. Direct staff to provide an analysis of relocating the High Speed Rail Station from Downtown Merced to Southeast Merced for consideration by Council before providing a response to the High Speed Rail Authority; or
C. Direct staff to call a meeting of the Council Transportation/High Speed Rail Subcommittee to further discuss, consider, and prepare a letter of response to the High Speed Rail Authority with consent by the City Council; or,
D. Other direction as provided by the City Council.
Body
AUTHORITY
Charter City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
FY 2025-2026 Budget, Tab 7, Economic Development and Airport, Objective #3, “Coordinate High Speed Rail, ACE Train MITC, and other projects that may serve as economic engines in Downtown Merced.”
DISCUSSION
As a result of the publishing of the 2025 High Speed Rail Supplemental Project Update, the Council Transportation Subcommittee, Merced County, and Merced County Association of Governments have been in discussion with High Speed Rail staff and board members regarding the fate and possible relocation of the Downtown Station. To provide certainty that a Merced Station will be constructed as part of the initial phase, the High Speed Rail Authority proposed to relocate the station from Downtown Merced to the Southeast Merced due to financial constraints.
Every other year, the High Speed Rail Authority must publish a Business Plan. The next Business Plan is due to be released in draft form by mid-February 2026 and adopted by May 1, 2026. The hope of the High Speed Rail staff presenting at the City Council meeting is to get an indication if the City of Merced supports the concept of relocating the station from Downtown Merced to the Southeast Merced.
If the City Council supports relocating the station in concept, the High Speed Rail Authority will include the transition in the forthcoming 2026 Business Plan and assign planners to work on the details with respective Merced agencies including the City of Merced, Merced County, and the Merced County Association of Governments.
It should be noted that the Authority Staff will be making a similar presentation and seeking input from the Merced County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 13th.
ATTACHMENT
1. High Speed Rail Background Paper