Working Group Meeting #3 DRAFT Summary September 27, 2017

Transcription

1 Working Group Meeting #3 DRAFT Summary September 27, 2017 Introduction The Chinatown Revitalization Plan Working Group met as a large group for the third time on September 27, Approximately 12 committee members were in attendance as well as City staff and two members of the consulting team, MIG. The group was convened to review the results of the community survey, discuss potential land uses for opportunity sites, and identify priority connections between Chinatown and adjacent neighborhoods. A summary of the meeting and group discussion is below. Community Survey Ellie Fiore, of MIG, presented key findings of the community survey conducted in the summer of 2017 and encouraged working group members to consider this input as during the small group exercise. Over 600 people participated in the survey. An overview is included in the meeting presentation and the full summary is available on the Chinatown project website. Opportunity Sites and Priority Connections Working Group members worked in two small groups with facilitators to identify preferred uses for four opportunity sites and priority connections to Downtown, the ITC and neighborhoods to the east. Each group recorded their recommendations on the map exercise form. Photos of these are included on page 4 and the recommendations are outlined below. A combined image of the exercise showing areas of consensus between the two groups is included on page 3. The groups also identified priority improvements to the neighborhood including opportunities for public art, gateways, and other improvements, which are shown on the maps. Opportunity Site Uses 1) 10/12 Soledad Street: Working group members identified uses that they think will complement the new residential development planned for Soledad. These include: a. Grocery store / produce market / cafe b. Farmers market c. Live/work units 1

2 d. A new PD office, welcome center and other City services e. A public space or plazita Some group members were interested in learning whether there is historical significance to the existing structures. 2) PG&E / Chevron: The groups discussed uses that would make sense to have in this location, given its location and size. a. Parking b. Micro-enterprise business incubator c. Pop-up retail and eateries d. Artist equipment and workshop e. Mixed-use residential 3) Triangle parcel at Rossi and Sherwood: Meeting participants members agreed that this parcel should not be developed. a. Park (with trees screening the power station) b. Gateway c. Roundabout d. Parking (overflow) 4) Ground floor of MidPen project: Group members identified uses that would complement the planned development and help activate Soledad Street to improve safety. Ideas included a. Police substation b. Retail / thrift store c. Artist spaces d. CSUMB and other classes e. Coffee shops or food (but no bars) f. Flexible / shared space Priority Connections 5) West to the ITC: Group members discussed the many challenges to making this connection and suggested the following: a. Improved intersections on Lake, Main b. Bus / shuttle service to the ITC c. A bridge that serves as a gateway and reflects local history (e.g., dragon design) d. Improved sidewalks and underpass with art, lighting, and better access for pedestrians and bikes 6) South to Downtown: The small groups both would like to see Chinatown reconnected to Downtown at Bridge street at grade or with a pedestrian bridge a. Bridge Street to Pajaro (at grade) b. Pedestrian bridge to Downtown 2

3 7) To the east: TAC members want to improve conditions and connections for those in the new Haciendas developments to make it easier for people to travel between them and to points east and west. a. Rossi to Calle Cebu bike/ped improvements b. Roundabouts on Sherwood c. Improved bike lanes on Rossi / Calle Cebu Other Several group members emphasized the importance of having a parking strategy as the neighborhood evolves. There was consensus that the Bridge Street Wall (south of the Haciendas developments on Rossi) should be removed. It would be symbolic, a signal that Chinatown is open for business and help connect Chinatown to adjacent neighborhoods. A traditional Chinese garden could be located on Soledad Street There is strong interest in having gateways to Chinatown as well as art such as murals and statues that are visible from other neighborhoods, particularly downtown. 3

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