Four districts. One Gateway District.
Every district touches the Gateway District — and all four boundaries meet at Main and Broadway. That is why letting the Gateway District decay is a citywide failure, not a District 1 problem.
Source: City of Santa Maria district map (Appendix A), National Demographics Corp. · 16 March 2022. Scroll, pinch or double-click to zoom · drag to pan.
Main Street runs right through it
West Main Street — Highway 166 — crosses District 1 east to west and carries straight into the Gateway District. The blocks that need saving are not across town from this district. They are its front door.
“If the Gateway District goes badly, I’m impacted. I live here. That’s exactly why I can’t sit this one out.”
— Gary Janek Michaels
The city limit above West Taylor Street.
North Broadway and the South Railroad Avenue rail corridor.
Down past West Jones Street to the West Stowell Road corridor.
The western city limit, out past West Alvin Avenue.
Priorities for District 1
Fiscal responsibility
Santa Maria's traditional revenue model is broken — the proof is in our own neighborhoods. Honest budgeting, not one more Band-Aid.
Accountability & transparency
An independent Citizens Oversight Committee so City Hall doesn't grade its own homework.
Build the AG Tech cluster
Combat the affordability crisis by recruiting the modern industries that raise wages and grow our tax base.
Clean up the Gateway District
The key to building an AG Tech cluster and attracting employers back to Santa Maria.
Public safety
Support our police and first responders, and invest in prevention.
Youth & student success
Save youth programs — like the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center — and elevate student success.
Fix neighborhood packing & ADU parking
Address the parking shortages and quality-of-life strain from unchecked ADU construction.
A revitalized downtown
Where we build the connections that bring our neighborhoods together.
Every dollar goes to the fight for the Gateway District
This is a locally funded, July-to-November push. Your contribution pays for the media, outreach, and the case for immediate action.
Contributions are not tax-deductible. Paid for by Gary Janek Michaels for City Council 2026 · FPPC ID #_______
Get campaign updates
Newsletter, events, and the Gateway District action plan as it develops.