Downtown Dublin Study Session and Public Meeting
The Dublin City Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint study session on November 17th at 6pm in the City Council Chambers (100 Civic Plaza) to discussion the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan project.
Downtown Dublin is generally considered to be the area encompassed by I-580 /Amador Valley Boulevard (south and north) and San Ramon Road / Village Parkway (west and east). Please see the picture below for reference.
The Specific Plan is important to Dublin residents and businesses because it will encourage development and revitalization in the downtown area that:
- Takes advantage of the transportation opportunity presented by the new BART station;
- Maintains and enhances the sales tax base of the downtown are;
- Encourages a mix of existing large format retail uses, smaller retail, service, office, hotel, and mixed use development; and
- Includes design guidelines.
The purpose of this study session is to discuss the land use concept for the Downtown Dublin area, the proposed “Development Pool” (square footage available for intensification/development of properties in the Specific Plan Area) and the proposed Community Benefit Program for use of the Development Pool.
The City of Dublin is inviting all residents and business owners to attend the study session. Additionally, this is an opportunity for folks in the community to share their thoughts about the Downtown Dublin project with the City Council and Planning Commission.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the City of Dublin Community Development Department at (925) 833-6610.
9:13 AM on November 15th, 2009
I’m glad a map has finally been posted of the area to be revitalized. Having lived here for only 5 years I was under the impression that our “downtown” was the Hacienda theatre area. Hacienda is not the best, but there are quiet pedestrian streets that can get you there, and you can walk around from shop to shop.
The area outlined in the map above I’ve always considered a strip mall area. Hopefully the new plan will include plenty of pedestrian access between stores – not an open parking lot where you have to dodge traffic. And it should include well-planned pedestrian connections between roads – not just cross walks that infuriate drivers who honk at you.
A good downtown will allow you to slow down and enjoy your time there.
6:01 PM on November 15th, 2009
I’m not sure the area selected as a downtown makes much sense to me. It straddles two interstate freeways and in one section requires you to walk under the freeway to get to another part of downtown. To me, this is quite a noisy area.
Looking at the open (and undeveloped) area at Tassajara and Dublin blvd seems like an opportunity.
My two cents…
9:22 AM on November 16th, 2009
It’s a about time. I have been a Tri-Valley resident for 18 years and we spoke about a downtown for @ least 15 years.
All I have seen is home development in Dublin and very little commercial. And yes downtown needs to be in the West and walkable.
John Z this reminds me of something, a new topic for your blog could be to profile the Bicycle Master Plan. One of the best ways to reduce traffic and foreign oil is to ride a bike (like me).
2:41 PM on November 16th, 2009
Hi Anonymous – that is an excellent idea. I know that the City of Pleasanton has been very active in soliciting input from residents on their Bicycle Master Plan. We can check to see where we are in Dublin on our Plan.
Thx, John Z.
12:13 PM on November 18th, 2009
I’d als love to see a Bicycle Master Plan!
My family bikes quite a bit in Dublin/Pleasanton/San Ramon – using any trails available.
1:45 AM on November 19th, 2009
As someone new to Dublin, I have driven around to the area marked for downtown, and frankly, I prefer to avoid it. To us it only signifies the old/undesirable area of Dublin, and I agree with KR that Hacienda area gives the feeling of the heart of Dublin where one could go and park and walk around. Its not very very walkable, I agree; But at the same time I am also wondering that why do we really need a downtown in Dublin, when one did not naturally take shape. Especially if the area being considered now is NOT where action is. If I want to settle down in Dublin today, I will be looking at the east/new Dublin, and that is where I would like to slow down and enjoy my time. Not in some noisy area with 70 year old structures.
I have read ideas around using a part of the Camp (military training area) as where potentially a new downtown could take shape. That sounds more convincing, for sure.
12:59 PM on November 19th, 2009
Agree. Camp park area is the best place for a downtown. It is right at the center of Dublin and close to BART station and apartment buildings.