High-Speed Rail Station Location

Urged keeping the station downtown, saying relocation would waste prior planning and delay the project.

Downtown Merced Partnership chairman; called relocation another broken state promise and urged a joint city-county hearing before any change to SB 198.

Asked who benefits from the station move and announced a letter requesting Council Member Boyle's recusal over her Building Industry Association employment.

Spoke for residents opposing relocation to south Merced, citing poor access to food, retail, and healthcare connections there.

Recent UC Merced graduate said a downtown station is far more accessible by bus than a Campus Parkway location and would cut his trip home to LA County by three hours.

UC Merced student supporting the downtown station for local business, equity, and transit access reasons.

Strongly opposed moving the station out of downtown, citing SB 198, the Legislative Analyst's concerns, and a survey showing 70% of residents plan to use the rail.

Thanked Councilmember Smith for his op-ed, urged the council to keep negotiating for a downtown station under SB 198 and not give up its power.

Urged the council to keep the high-speed rail station downtown as SB 198 requires, protecting jobs and past investment.

Argued moving the station south would divert wealth from Merced residents to private investors and break the council's promise.

Cited SB 198 and the legislative analyst's concerns, urging transparency and meaningful engagement on the station location.

An IHSS provider who said easy rail access can mean life or death for clients needing care in the Bay Area or Southern California.

Shared UC Merced Labor Center survey data: 60% of nearby residents would likely use the rail, and 78% want retail and restaurants at the station.

Asked the council to publish a hard side-by-side comparison of downtown versus relocated rail station costs and benefits; also announced a May 8 Assembly District 27 candidate debate at UC Merced.