Project Description
Downtown Vallejo provides an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate the historic and civic heart of the community. It has a strong character marked by its historic buildings, attractive pedestrian environment and its relationship to the surrounding historic neighborhoods and the Waterfront.
As a follow-up to the Vision Plan by Triad communities, the City Council initiated a Specific Plan process in January 2004 with the creation of a 50 person Downtown Advisory Group (DAG). The role of the Downtown Advisory Group was to provide input into the preparation of the Specific Plan.
The one year planning process included workshops with the Downtown Advisory Group. In addition, there were study sessions with the Planning Commission and the City Council prior to the adoption of the Plan. The community outreach efforts confirmed the community’s strong desire to see a revitalized downtown and to reach a general consensus on several of the issues. Based on public input, a vision statement and a set of goals were developed that provided the basis for the Specific Plan.
Since completion of the Downtown Specific Plan, the City has been working with the Redevelopment Agency and Triad Communities to bring forward a project to revitalize the downtown with transit oriented high density housing and commercial buildings within a pedestrian friendly environment. The Downtown Streetscape Project will contribute largely to the revitalization of Downtown with new landscaping, street furniture, signage, decorative paving, street lighting, pavement repairs, pavement overlay, storm drain modifications, curb extensions, diagonal parking and pedestrian enhancements within the public right of way.
The limits of the Downtown Vallejo Streetscape project include:
Phase 1
- Virginia Street between Sacramento and Sonoma
- Sacramento and Marin Streets between Virginia and Georgia
Phase 2
- The remaining streets within Vallejo Square (bounded by Sonoma Street, Virginia Street, Sacramento Street and York Street)
In 2007 the City selected a team of Design Engineers and Landscape Architects to prepare the construction plans for the Downtown Streetscape Project. The final construction plans prepared by the design Team will be based on:
- Downtown Vallejo Design Guidelines
- Downtown Vallejo Specific Plan
- Virginia Street Development EIR
The funding for the design and construction of the Downtown Streetscape Project is provided by multiple funding sources: STIP Transportation Enhancement (TE) Funding, Housing Incentive Program Grant, a State Infrastructure Bank and Redevelopment Funds. During the Summer of 2007, the design team will be preparing preliminary plans for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 Final Construction Plans will be prepared for bidding and construction in 2008.