At the January 2, 2008 City Council meeting, the Council approved a contract with Moule & Polyzoides to prepare a Specific Plan for the Uptown and Town Centre areas. Basically, the City will re-master plan the west side of town. This is a significant undertaking identified as a key objective of the General Plan, Economic Strategy, Council Goals, and current Budget/Financial Plan.
A new vision for the future will be developed to include:
- New mix of residential & commercial uses, types, and densities
- Transit system improvements to emphasize pedestrian, bicycle, & public transit equally with automobile, calm traffic, & link neighborhoods
- Downtown expansion
- Salinas River restoration, enhancement and connection with an expanded downtown
- Orientation of future development upon traditional neighborhood design principles
- Master planning City & Pioneer Parks, as well as Robbins Field
- Master planning historical museums
- Master planning PR Event Center non-equestrian facilities
- Updating historical buildings inventory and create an historic building preservation/reuse code
- Rethinking west side traffic circulation, public transit and parking.
There will be a number of opportunities for active community participation and input including public workshops, focus groups, and an intensive 5-day design Charrette.