Weekly Poll: Grafton Plaza Mixed-Use
Two weeks ago, you voted for what you would like to see developed at Grafton Plaza. By a margin of nearly 2 to 1, readers voted for 10 stories of mixed-use development vs. 6 stories of office space (the City Park option also garnered about 10% of the votes).
Given that there is fairly strong support for a mixed-use development, the big question now is “What should the mix of use look like at Grafton Plaza?”:
- Residential + Office + Retail
- Office + Retail
- Retail + Residential
- Residential + Office
What do you think? Let your voice be heard by voting for your favorite option in this week’s poll and leaving a comment.
4:36 PM on June 16th, 2008
As a resident of the Terraces what I would love to see are some restaurants within easy walking distance. I have a dream of some weekend being able to go grab breakfast with the family at some cute neighborhood coffee shop/cafe (not some chain restaurant). Not sure if the place for this is Grafton or the Promenade, but I hope we get at least a couple options in the next couple of years.
7:54 PM on June 16th, 2008
A destination! A pure balance of commercial and commercial only. Something similar to a city center: High-end boutiques, Restaurants and offices anchored by a luxury hotel and spa. It is where you meet up with Louis Vuitton or Gucci after you get your nails done.
6:35 AM on June 17th, 2008
Hi Kristi – I would love to see a coffee shop/cafe at the Promenade or Grafton Plaza, as well. I’m sure that we will have one…it’s just a question of where it will be. There was also a rumor that a coffee shop would be going in at the Groves (in their retail area).
Thx, John Z.
6:36 AM on June 17th, 2008
Hi Anonymous – I really like your vision! We definitely want high-end shops, services, and restaurants at Grafton Plaza and the Promenade. This will be the basis for next week’s poll.
Thx, John Z.
12:38 AM on August 23rd, 2008
Hi John, I no longer hear the buzz about the Grafton PLAZA. I truly like the builder’s latest proposal. Do you have the latest development?
3:58 PM on August 23rd, 2008
Hi Anonymous – I haven’t heard anything lately on the status of the Grafton Plaza project. From what I understand, the Environmental Impact Report is still being worked on.
Here’s the City of Dublin’s official website for the Grafton Plaza project: http://www.ci.dublin.ca.us/DepartmentSubLevel2.cfm?PL=exp&SL=comdev&dsplyID=1118.
Thx, John Z.
3:01 PM on October 7th, 2008
Remember to come to the open house BBQ on October 18th. Hosted by Charter Properties, RSVP required.
12:54 PM on October 13th, 2008
Has the city and our decision makers taken into account how the number of high-density projects will impact our fire services to the city as a whole? The question is not if but when we will be hit with the Big One, so wouldn’t it make more sense to concentrate the condos and townhomes in just a few areas rather than all over the city? Dublin’s Fire Services can currently support buildings up to 75 feet, so how will Dublin support the 150 feet towers proposed at Grafton Plaza? Since the Alameda County Fire Department will definitely require new equipment not needed in other cities, We will all pay more in taxes as a result of this upgrade in services. I would rather save my money and put it toward a second high school.
1:34 PM on October 14th, 2008
Grafton Plaza looks to be a unique and special project that will serve the City of Dublin for years to come. I would much prefer it be in Downtown next to the West Dublin BART station, highrises in downtown would make it a destination point like any other downtowns, like Walnut Creek where they have 10-12 story office buildings.
Grafton Plaza where it is currently planned isn’t so bad at 10 stories though. I’d much rather have this project as opposed to more 4 story wood framed/boxy Condo/Apartment buildings or more discount Big Box stores with tilted up concrete construction. This project could be the catalyst for development of the Promenade which may never happen due to lack of a customer base in the immediate area, night and day. At 10 stories this project could be the focal point physically that is needed to bring people into the area and making the Promenade a reality with the upscale retailers that we all want in Dublin. If the Promenade never happens, you know what will go there? More Condos in place of our long awaited Main Street, the developer will claim that development of the Promenade is no longer feasible due to lack of human masses in the area.
One suggestion to ease the increase or change to allow housing for Grafton Plaza is that for Charter Properties to give back the same amount of High Density units or do away with it altogether from what they have planned for Wallis Ranch, this will definitely win over local residents who have voiced opposition to any additional High or Medium High Densition that is away from Transit Villages or away from I580. Wallis Ranch would then become a neighborhood of mainly executive homes which Dublin has very little of and not much land left anywhere else to add to this inventory.
As wonderful as the concept for Grafton Plaza looks and the benefits it could bring, directly or indirectly (helping the Promenade become reality instead of yet more housing) is an example. Residents may vote against it due to a backlash against the many High Density developments that have been built in recent years and the ones that are in the planning stages. (Sorrento East, Wallis Ranch, Dublin Land Co.) etc… Grafton Plaza may be a victim not of its’ own doing. By itself it looks great for the City but residents will only see more High Density Housing as the sore thumb and overlook its’ benefits for the area, even with a little bit of housing added.
Would you rather have units at Grafton Plaza or thousands of Units replace The Promenade?
Mr. Tong and the City, please consider the shift of High Density units from Wallis Ranch to Grafton Plaza. This could ensure that your concept for this beautiful developments gets voter approval. Otherwise it would be an even darker day for Easter Dublin should voters turn it down due to a backlash against the proliferation of High Density housing. Give some back and voters would be kinder to your request to add some.
1:47 PM on October 14th, 2008
Throw in a state-of-the-art high school too, and I will be in favor of the 10-story towers; otherwise, no go.
2:00 PM on October 14th, 2008
Grafton Plaza could be the catalyst needed to jumpstart The Promenade. Without it the Promenade may not happen, in place could be thousands more Condos or Apartments on Grafton Street. This would be a disaster as then we will have thousands of residents in these units that have nowhere to go without having to get into a car. It was already poor planning to place such a development so far from usable mass transit, without having retail and jobs ever developed nearby would add insult to injury.
Exchanges Hi Density units for the Plaza with Wallis Ranch is a prudent idea that should be looked at. Otherwise Charter Properties would experience an unfortunate fate much like some of our elected officials will in coming elections due to our disgust with the amount of High Density housing shoved down our throats by developers with the assistance of our supposedly elected representatives.
Message to Charter Properties and current Elected Officials, don’t be too confident that you have our votes in the bag. As much as we liked you all in the past, this very issue of High Density housing will bite you in the rear when you thought you had it figured out. Great ideas like Grafton Plaza and great ideas/campaign statements by our current elected Official but no action to back it up, just words that are worthless based on your actions.
Put your words into action regarding High Density Housing and the need for more Single Family Residence on the scarce amount of land we have left and this great project could become reality. Show that you do listen to your Constituents and not just to developers and deep pocket landowners.
2:12 PM on October 14th, 2008
I agree regarding the need for a 2nd High School as we have a 1 year old child. Once she approaches elementary school, we will seriously consider moving to neighboring cities that have neighborhood high schools where the bars are set very high, not settling for being in the top 3rd, but demanding to be in the top 5 or even 1 percent. The reason to start at grade school is for that she does not loose all her friends if we were to wait until she is a Freshmen in High School to move. Even if we don’t move, here friends might have by then for the same reason.
Maybe instead of the High Density Residential at Wallis Ranch that should be transfered to Grafton Plaza, sell the land that it was suppose to be on to the District at a reasonable or discounted price to allow for a potential 2nd High School. Combine it with part of Ybarra Ybarra Ranch and we may be able to gather enough acreage for a 1200 student High School. We can get to 1200 if potential students don’t keep leaving the city much like how our daughter would we she is old enough to attend grade school.
The School Board is another issue in itself, current officials there will see their fate in November. Unfortunately that mentality of not listening to their constituents are spreading to the Council, Mayor and Planning Commission. Words with no action to back it up.
3:26 PM on October 16th, 2008
Grafton Plaza as a standalone project looks wonderful, something we’d like to see developed in Dublin. But when we look at the overall mix of housing in Eastern Dublin, with an abundance of High Density housing in places where they shouldn’t be, I am hesitant if asked to vote on this project as it adds even more high density residential.
Charter Properties committed a major public relations gaffe with their original proposal, if may have flied in towns like Irvine, Costa Mesa or even Foster City, South San Francisco, Redwood City in the Bay Area, but not here in the Tri-Valley.
Now with the latest revised proposal, many people are still angry and skeptical due to the first proposal. Also a backlash agains High Density could sink this proposal. Charter can do a lot to get some of these detractor back into their side by doing the following, so that if this comes to a vote, they’d have a fighting chance.
Exchange the High Density and Medium Density at Wallis Ranch for the ones proposed at Grafton Plaza. Set aside the Wallis Ranch parcel intended for these High and Medium Density for a potential 2nd High School. Maybe combine it with the local neighborhood park that is planned for the development to have a large enough parcel, possibly 2-3 story academic buildings to fit a smaller parcel. The remaining housing on Wallis would be only executive single family residences which we sorely need to keep top end Corporate Executives from taking there families to other towns and contributing there instead.
The 2nd High School could be funded with a combination of private and public. The City, Parks and Recreation, School District (once we get a new board in there), Developers, Eastern Dublin Homeowners and Local Businesses (Sybase, Taleo) etc.. could work together and build something that will benefit many. These companies can now recruit the best talent as there are a wide range of housing large and small plus a first class high school nearby with their name on it as donor to tout.
Now you’ve satisfied Eastern Dublin Residents on a 2nd High School. Removed High and Medium Density from Wallis Ranch where it has no business being there. Grafton Plaza gets the support it needs when it comes for a public vote. Charter will realize less profit at Wallis Ranch but makes more at Grafton Plaza as now it includes housing. Only one left out is Wallis Ranch Property Owner, Charter can compensate them for the extra profit they would make at Grafton Plaza.
Wild isn’t it? We need to be thinking outside the box, be creative and a roll model for how public and private sector could work together for the benefit all and can be proud of. Everyone gains something. We can do it if people (politicians) are open minded about this.
3:11 PM on October 17th, 2008
I urge readers to email Jim Tong at Charter Properties/Colliers Parrish regarding this project. As much as we like this project and know it is crucial to the eventual development of the Promenade, please give up any thoughts of building High and Medium Density at Wallis Ranch as it has no business being there. We know how crucial the housing element is for Grafton Plaza, Wallis Ranch on the otherhand will do just fine without Medium and High Density. Give up one to have the other, can’t have both.