Weekly Poll: Dublin Downtown
Dublin will have a downtown district. The two main questions are: 1) where should the downtown district be located?; and 2) what should happen with the existing buildings in the downtown district? Answering these two questions can help determine when Dublin will have a downtown district.
The current thought is that the Dublin downtown district will essentially encompass the area from Village Parkway to San Ramon Road with Dublin Blvd. and Amador Valley Blvd. providing the boundaries on the north and south (please click on the image above for a more detailed illustration). The advantage of this location is that there are already stores, restaurants, some residential, and the West Dublin BART station in the area. The disadvantage is that there are already stores, restaurants, and some residential in the area – each building with it’s own unique look (and a look that won’t necessarily conform with the new Dublin Downtown Specific Plan). This leads to the second question – “What should happen with the existing buildings in the downtown district”?
Another related question could be – is the current location of Dublin’s future downtown district the optimal location…or would it make more sense to sculpt a downtown starting from scratch where there is more open land and existing building owners won’t need to renovate their buildings to conform with the new Dublin Downtown Specific Plan? One potential location could be across from the East Dublin BART Station at Dublin Crossing (currently occupied by Camp Parks)
This week’s poll question is “What’s the best way to make Dublin’s downtown vision a reality”?
11:21 AM on June 9th, 2008
It would be great if we started from scratch and put our downtown where Camp Parks is. Renovating buildings just seems too messy and complicated. The idea of having our downtown located in the Village Parkway/San Ramon Rd./Dublin Blvd./Amador Valley Blvd. area doesn’t seem like a good fit. The energy in that area doesn’t feel right.
By starting from scratch, we eliminate the need to renovate and make buildings look uniform. We will have many more options as far as building design, landscape design, incorporating fountains, making it more spacious, pedestrian friendly, and can plan for ample parking. If we put our downtown on the west side, the result will be a cramped downtown with a shortage of parking and just a boring street with a bunch of stores and traffic congestion.
Camp Parks would be an ideal location since BART is across the street. By being located across from BART, it will increase revenue for the city because it will attract people who do not live out this way to shop here since they will have the convenience of hopping on BART and then businesses like Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Gymboree, Bebe, and other high end stores will see the value in setting up shop here because of the potential to increase sales.
BART stops at downtown SF and that attracts a lot of people to shop there. However, the parking there is a huge problem and it’s definitely not pedestrian friendly. Let’s not forget the annoying panhandlers!!
Plus, with all the building going on with Emerald Place and Sorrento, this will allow people to be within walking distance of those places as well.
We have a chance to do things right.
I appreciate you asking for our input. A lot of thought has to go into making our downtown stand out. We can make our downtown better than Walnut Creek, which some people rave about, but I don’t think is all that spectacular.
I really hope that Camp Parks becomes the location for our new downtown. That would be incredibly awesome!!
12:40 PM on June 9th, 2008
I agree, the optimal location be at or near the East Dublin Bart station. There is a lot of potential to get things right and start from scratch. It’s also more centrally located for Dublin.
Question is, how much of the Camp Park’s space will they allot? Either way, that side of Dublin Blvd needs a serious facelift.
11:03 PM on November 3rd, 2008
With the recent unfortunate demise of Circuit City and Mervyn’s plus the departure of Golfsmith lies an opportunity for Dublin to reinvent the downtown. We should work with the property owners to seek opportunities for a cohesive redevelopment.
I am fearful that one of these stores could become a Walmart or a large dollar/thrift store which would destroy any hope of redeveloping downtown into a regional destination. Much like how Ranch 99 took over the Ralph’s building but did nothing to remodel the exterior that looks old and tired. Same goes for Burlington and Toy’s R’Us that took over the Wards building, it also looks old and tired.
Maybe OSH can remodel the Circuit City Lot and move there, opening up their current spot for redevelopment along with the future extended St. Patrick Drive.
John, your thoughts on these development in Downtown, opportunities?
5:42 AM on November 4th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – I love your big picture thinking. The departure of Crown Chevrolet, Mervyn’s, and Circuit City is somewhat alarming given the volume of sales tax revenue that they have historically provided. However, we can look at this as the opportunity that we need to diversify our tax revenue base and implement the eventual Dublin Downtown District specific plan.
You bring up a good point about the potential for businesses to move into the vacated buildings without making any facade improvements. While this is considered “okay” by our current ordinances, I’d like for the City to look into being more assertive in encouraging businesses to apply the design guidelines that will be noted in the Dublin Downtown District specific plan. Otherwise, we’ll miss out on this second shot to get our Downtown District right and create the look and feel that is critical to the success of our City.
Thx, John Z.
3:39 PM on November 5th, 2008
I agree as when a new user purchases an existing retail building, the city really has no say in implementing exterior improvements and enhance the area. I can see the Ranch 99 site being just like that with no improvement for another 10-15 years.
I didn’t know about Crown going out of business too! Wow that is a huge lot that can use redevelopment stretching almost two blocks on Golden Gate Drive. I see an opportunity for a Grafton Plaza type development that incorporates ground floor retail, residential and class A offices above and possibly even a performing arts center or a conference center.
We’ve lost some large tax revenue streams in recent years for downtown (Wards, Goodguys, Mervyn’s, Circuit City, Crown Chevrolet) all in retail.
This points out the FLAWED plans of our current leadership. We’ve put too many eggs in one basket (Retail) thus we are vulnerable to a downturn like this. Another basket we’ve seem to rely on so much is the impact fees, this could trickle down too as new development comes to a halt.
My hope is this new administration has the ability and know how to balance out our revenue stream for sustainability in all economic conditions.
3:49 PM on November 5th, 2008
I see an opportunity to redevelop the entire retail block bound by Dublin Blvd., Amador Plaza Road, Regional Road and Amador Road. Higher density with parking structures to allow more retailers such as (Michael’s, OSH, Ross, Marshall’s) to move over into a redeveloped cohesive power center. Leaving the vacated Michael’s/OSH Parcel to be rezoned/redeveloped in conjunction with the Crown Chevrolet parcel. These lots can feed off of the new BART station and could include (main street retail to complement the big boxes next door, entertainment ei: (CineArt, Comedy Club etc..), class A offices, hotels/conference center, some upscale residentials)
For the short term yes we will be hurt as we rely too heavily on retail tax revenue as Janet Lockhart proclaims we are a retail based economy, obviously not wise. For the longterm we have a GOLDEN opportunity to finally redevelop downtown into one cohesive district that will be a regional draw.
3:53 PM on November 5th, 2008
We can take this as an opportunity to redevelop downtown or we can let it become like Downtown Hayward for the past 30-40 years (blighted vacant buildings, vacant lots, deserted, crime ridden).
3:58 PM on November 5th, 2008
Hi John,
I know this is off topic but regarding the Council Race and it seems Hart and Hildenbrand. Which is fine since both claim to be against High Density Housing. Although neither wants to hear about a 2nd H.S. What happens now with Sbranti’s seat? Does the third most vote getter such as you get the seat or will we need to hold a special election.
I hope at a second chance to get you in as I feel you have a good feel for what it takes for Dublin to finally become a first class all around City instead of one known for just entry level bedrooms and big discount stores. I wouldn’t say our town is quaint and charming with the current landscape of hulking high density housing and hulking big box centers and nothing else on either end to balance it out.
7:38 PM on November 5th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – Mayor Sbranti’s vacated Council seat can be filled by appointment or special election. The Council will discuss which option they’d prefer at the December 2nd Council meeting. If the Council decides to make an appointment, then they may or may not choose somebody that ran in this year’s election (it could be just about anybody).
Thx, John Z.
8:56 PM on November 5th, 2008
Hi John,
Im proud to have voted for you. I just wrote the newly elected the Mayor and let him know my feelings on filling his vacated seat with you. You deserve it John. Not because of this blog, not because youll be great for this community, but because you had the third highest amount of votes period. I encourage everyone who reads this blog to write Newly elected Mayor Tim Sbranti… thanks again for all you do John.
12:27 AM on November 6th, 2008
Thanks John,
I would guess an appointment route would cost the City less money in this tough economic time. We expect the Council to do the right thing and appoint the 3rd most vote getter in the election. Otherwise they would loose all credibility as a fair and honest City Hall.
I am typing an email now to Tim, Kasie, Kate and Kevin of my preference for you which would only be fair.
7:55 PM on November 13th, 2008
John,
An example of an old retail building made to look new by a new retail user is in Downtown Walnut Creek. A Building on California Street formerly occupied by Albertson was taken over by Trader Joe’s and an Elephant Pharm. That build is similiar to the Big Lot building in Dublin, but with a simple renovation of the exterior it looks timeless and a jewel. An example of how old buildings such as Mervyn’s, Circuit City, Ralph’s could be made to look new again. Unlike the what Ranch 99 didn’t do with the Ralph’s building. Drabby and dated.
Next time you are DT Walnut Creek check it out.
The City should have some sort of ordinance regarding re-use of properties even if it is the same type of use, Retail, auto Sales etc…
8:47 PM on November 13th, 2008
Hi Anonymous 11/13/08 – you just gave me a great reason to check out Walnut Creek Downtown! I absolutely love to visit their downtown district.
I like your idea for having an ordinance setting standards for the re-use of a property. If we have a unified, distinctive, and upscale theme, then I think that all businesses and building owners will benefit from the ordinance.
1:54 PM on January 26th, 2009
Just heard Home Depot is closing all EXPO stores including the Dublin location. This is yet another blow to Downtown’s retail prowess (Good Guys, Tower Records, Breuner’s, Circuit City, Mervyn’s, Ralph’s, EXPO, Crown Chevrolet, Golfsmith) and possible more to come. Long’s change of ownership, possible change of ownership for Aaron Brothers could jeapordize these off the beaten path locations too.
We can look at the positive though as this could be a golden opportunity for the City to revamp/redevelop downtown into a pedestrian friendly, cohesive downtown with a lot of the major longtime tenants out of the way. A revamped/realigned Power Center around Target with small scale main street along St. Patrick’s way near BART, a complement to each other. A mixed use complex of Office Space/Small Retail/Residential and a Perfoming Arts Center would be ideal for the Crown Chevrolet site. Otherwise it could turn into the biggest auto service shop in CA or a large Used Car Dealership. If the Crown Parcel go up for sale, the City should look into possibly purchasing it at favorable terms to preserve for future redevelopment instead of letting it fall into an undesirable use for downtown. We also risk having many of these vacated retail buildings become re-use with little or no improvements made. 20 years from now we could very well have a disconjointed downtown with a vast of asphalt parking and aged retail building.
2:01 PM on January 26th, 2009
Starting from Scratch is unrealistic, but razing some and renovating others just became easier with recent departures. We’ll hurt in the short term due to the departures but if the City become proactive and do it right it could be a blessing in disquise.
3:23 PM on January 28th, 2009
Just read an article from the San Francisco Business Times dated Jan. 23 – Jan. 29 regarding the proposed Federal Stimulus Package. $6 billion could be headed to Bay Area cities for various projects. The article gave a sampling of what some Bay Area Cities had requested and could get for various capital projects. Our neighbor San Ramon for example $50million (1690 jobs), Pleasanton $203million (1270 Jobs). It didn’t list Dublin, hopefully our Mayor has tossed our hat into the pool too. Funds could be used to finish our proposed parks (Fallon, Emerald Glen), road widening like (Tassajara, Dublin Blvd. and Dougherty Rd.), interchange improvements and beautification (Hopyard, Foothill, Fallon, Tassajara), 580-680 flyover, downtown redevelopment and beautification, Scarlett Court Utility Undergrounding, School Construction (Kolb).
Any thoughts or further insights from Fellow Dubliners on whether Dublin will get any of the Stimulus money when it gets approved? This is a golden opportunity to put our city back on the growth path, at least in the public sector to stimulate our local economy. Downtown’s redevelopment could be the one item to reinvigorate our city’s economy.