The final draft of a plan to guide future development of new homes, offices, community and retail space in Walnut Creek’s north downtown area will be presented to and discussed by the City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday. Pete Suratos reports.
The final draft of a plan to guide future development of new homes, offices, community and retail space in Walnut Creek's north downtown area will be presented to and discussed by the City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday.
The 30-year plan for the 191-acre north downtown area, adjacent to the Walnut Creek BART station, was born in 2014 when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Contra Costa Transportation Authority awarded the city a $657,000 grant to prepare a specific plan to guide redevelopment of the area.
The vision statement for the North Downtown Specific Plan calls for the area to be better integrated with the rest of the downtown area, as well as with the BART station, Civic Park, the Iron Horse Trail, surrounding neighborhoods and the region, and to keep the area as an important jobs center.
The plan calls for the area to continue its evolution into a mixed-use district that integrates housing, retail, restaurants, civic, hospitality, arts and entertainment uses.
An emphasis would be placed on accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists, and connecting those modes with public transit and private vehicles.
City staff recommends that the City Council review the final draft of the North Downtown Specific Plan, and to provide input to staff and the project's consultants in anticipation of adoption of the plan in October.
