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April 6, 2000 Downtown Urban Design Workshop

On April 7, 2000 over 40 property owners, residents and business owners attended a Downtown urban design workshop. Held in the Varsity Theater, the workshop participants listened to a summary of downtown planning policies and analysis. They learned about how other communities used urban design plans and guidelines to shape investment and participated as members of urban design teams. The results of their efforts are summarized below.

Summary of Key Points

The workshop participants identified key urban design features they wanted included in Downtown Davis' future. Participants worked in teams to propose concepts for nine character districts in the Downtown. Overall, participants supported the introduction of residential on the second and third floors and used this new opportunity for energizing less intensive commercial areas. They also placed an emphasis on increasing the continuity of development within Downtown's traditional patterns and scale. Using pedestrian friendly retail design to activate open spaces and support Downtown's evolution with pedestrian, bike and parking strategies.

 

Area #1: Traditional Downtown Core

The traditional center of Downtown includes the blocks adjacent to the RR depot. Participants had to consider the priority uses for this area, locations for new uses, and how the Depot area could become a special place in Downtown. The Traditional Core was targeted for intensive and compact location for retail and entertainment uses. The second and third levels should be developed with office and residential uses. Open space features should include plazas at the RR Depot and old police station.

Area #2: Core Expansion North

The two blocks north of the Traditional Downtown Core have scattered single story non-historic buildings and public parking and could be completely redeveloped at some point. This area has long been viewed as a logical expansion area for the Traditional Commercial Core. Workshop participants viewed this area as a mixed-use extension of the Core. It should feature a plaza or integrated open space that is energized by a mix of uses including residential.

Area #3: Core Expansion West

To the west of the Traditional Core are two blocks of a former residential neighborhood that has gradually evolved into a mixture of office, residential and retail. Participants suggested this area could continue to develop in a mixed-use pattern with an emphasis on maintaining the traditional scale and adding new residential uses.

Area #4: Core Transition West

The B and C Street area west of the Commercial Core is a traditional residential neighborhood that has experienced commercial and apartment development related to the University. The workshop participants stressed preserving the "bungalow-feel" and scale.

Area #5: Core Transition North

This traditional residential area is designated for commercial office and retail area in the 1996 Core Area Specific Plan. Workshop participants wanted this area to be a "honest transition" between the neighborhoods and downtown. Participants wanted this area to be a "residential village" where residential uses and scale are an important.

Area #6: G Street

G Street is the Davis' original "main street". Its use, pattern and scale have been topics of past plans for Downtown. Participants felt the street needs additional focus and definition. They recommend increasing continuity with small shops and residential development.

Area #7: Third Street

Third Street's role as the principal connection to the University was underscored by recommendations by workshop participants. They felt pedestrian and bikeway improvements should be an important consideration for Third Street. They also suggested there could be improved continuity between need and old buildings and intensification of commercial uses.

Area #8: Central Park

Central Park's edge has not been a special consideration in previous plans. Workshop participants wanted to see an intensification of residential uses with pedestrian-friendly commercial such as cafes. The school district site at the north end of the Park and fraternity houses were viewed as opportunity sites.

Area #9: Gateway Area

Participants viewed the physical character of the Richards Boulevard entry was viewed as acceptable. However, they offer several suggestions for transportation improvements including a G Street tunnel, parking lots east of the RR tracks, and added investment in pedestrian amenities.

Planning Teams Summary

TEAM 1

#1. Commercial Core
List the top three priority uses:
o Retail
o Restaurants
o Entertainment
 
List below the three best locations and indicate opportunity sites for mixed-use projects on you're maps.
o SP Depot
o Parking lots
o Upper levels
 
List three design features the RR Depot area should have if the adjacent parcel were redeveloped:
o Keep character of Aggie Hotel site
o Cohesive entry
o Train traveler uses: info/food/transportation/rentals
 
#2. Core Expansion-North
List three important features for your proposal:
o Intensify retail
o Upper level office
o More restaurants
 
#3. Core Expansion-West
List ways housing could be added to the transition area:
o Parking a concern
 
#4. Core Transition-West
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Should retail be condensed in central area or spread out to transition?
 
#5. Core Transition-North
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o +Residential some up
o Preserve some small-scale residential
 
#6. G Street
List the features in the future of G Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o More commercial
 
#7. Third Street
List the features in the future of 3rd Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o More bike-friendly
o Bike/pedestrian only with public transit
o More commercial
 
#8. Central Park
List the types of uses and design features you would imagine around Central Park in 20 years:
o Intensify housing without losing character
o School site convert to housing
 
#9. Gateway Area
List the three most important future characteristics of the Gateway area:
o Clear it & make a park (landscape)

 

TEAM 2

#1. Commercial Core
List the top three priority uses:
o Retail/Parking, build over first floor parking
o Entertainment/parking
o Business services/restaraurants
o Open space
 
List below the three best locations and indicate opportunity sites for mixed use projects on your map.
o Green-2nd story possible
o Purple-ground floor retail
 
List three design features the RR Depot area should have if the adjacent parcel were redeveloped:
o Hotel/B&B
o Open space
o Greenspace
o Chamber/visitor center
 
#2. Core Expansion-North
List three important features for your proposal:
o Density increase
o Retail expansion at ground level
o Integrated open space
 
#3. Core Expansion-West
List ways housing could be added to the transition area:
o Second story
o Establish connectivity
 
#4. Core Transition-West
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Design enhancements-hist. consistency
o Increased connectivity
o Maintain integrity of small houses while maintaining increased density
 
#5. Core Transition-North
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Soft approach/transition
o Less densification
o Keep bungalows/houses
 
#6. G Street
List the features in the future of G Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o Eliminate gas stations
o More retail
 
#7. Third Street
List the features in the future of 3rd Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o Greening
o Widen sidewalks
o More walkable/bike-able
o Archway?
o Bricked theme as on 4th & G
 
#8. Central Park
List the types of uses and design features you would imagine around Central Park in 20 years:
o Fraturnity house elimination?
 
#9. Gateway Area
List the three most important future characteristics of the Gateway area:
o Parking/retail walk across tracks, bridge
o Frat row integrate

 

TEAM 3

#1. Commercial Core
List the top three priority uses:
o Offices: densify 2nd floor and above
o Retail ground floor
o 2nd story offices
o 3rd story residential
 
List below the three best locations and indicate opportunity sites for mixed use projects on your map.
o Core
o Core Expansion
 
List three design features the RR Depot area should have if the adjacent parcel were redeveloped:
Opinion
o Core retain hotel or not
o Core expansion
o Retail-keep vistas open to train station
 
#2. Core Expansion-North
List three important features for your proposal:
o Mixed-use residential/office and retail
 
#3. Core Expansion-West
List ways housing could be added to the transition area:
o Increase retail only as needed-Mixed use
 
#4. Core Transition-West
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o C Street, B Street opposite park: shops, sidewalk cafes
o Townhouses
 
#5. Core Transition-North
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Townhouses
o Residential
o Mixed-use
 
#6. G Street
List the features in the future of G Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o Needs a focus
o North remote from downtown
o Too broadly defined
 
#7. Third Street
List the features in the future of 3rd Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o Intensify commercial uses
o Maintain some residential
 
#8. Central Park
List the types of uses and design features you would imagine around Central Park in 20 years:
o Cafes-Europe-like
o Open/plaza space
o Disagree-densify to match scale of park
-retain little bungalows
 
#9. Gateway Area
List the three most important future characteristics of the Gateway area:
o Good-maybe more commercial
 
Additional notes around the plan:
o Reinstate Design Review or give good guidelines
o New plaza 'focus': benches should face each other, more plants & tables
o Big Ideas & mixed-use-w/more height & setback
o Central park as focus w/landmark building
o Densify 3rd Street
o Don't focus North of 5th
o Focus on Depot
o Old City Hall/Police: restore; use for public events, make grass area inviting
o Restore Terminal Hotel for shops etc.
o We need a Design Review Board
o Keep scale of bungalows in core transition
o Office/retail
o Landmark building opportunities
o Encourage mixed-use buildings
1. Retail
2. Office
3. Residential
o Encourage 3 & 2 stories
o Downtown is our cultural center
o Don't force retail at expense of culture

 

TEAM 4

#1. Commercial Core
List the top three priority uses:
o RR Depot Plaza hub
o Police station as Muni focus
 
List below the three best locations and indicate opportunity sites for mixed use projects on your map.
o B of A area
o Core transition
 
List three design features the RR Depot area should have if the adjacent parcel were redeveloped:
o Retail attractions
o Respect station architecturally
 
#2. Core Expansion-North
List three important features for your proposal:
o Plaza at end of G Street, end of 2nd Street, close 2nd Street retail area
o G Street underpass for buses
o Mixed-use garage park at 4th & E
 
#3. Core Expansion-West
List ways housing could be added to the transition area:
o Students downtown
o Housing above
 
#4. Core Transition-West
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Make C. Park have edge of bus.
o Encourage more culture downtown
o Pedestrian easement, walkways and courtyards
o Take car pressure off downtown from UCD, bike safety!
 
#5. Core Transition-North
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Residential village
o Live-work space
 
#6. G Street
List the features in the future of G Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o G Street tunnel/split Richards and traditional Davis gateway for both (3) tunnels
o Reopen old mid-block alley, 3rd to 6th St., F and G Streets
 
#7. Third Street
List the features in the future of 3rd Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o University-friendly business
 
#8. Central Park
List the types of uses and design features you would imagine around Central Park in 20 years:
o Restaurant/mixed-use
o Relates to park activities
 
#9. Gateway Area
List the three most important future characteristics of the Gateway area:
o South side commuter/all day parking with retail (Des. house)
o Maintain residential (architectural) character (First Street)

 

TEAM 5

#1. Commercial Core
List the top three priority uses:
o Shops
o Restaurants
o Entertainment
o Maintain for foot-neighborhood services, pedestrian
 
List below the three best locations and indicate opportunity sites for mixed use projects on your map.
o Possibly #3
o Possible 4
o Possible on G (West side north of co-op)
 
List three design features the RR Depot area should have if the adjacent parcel were redeveloped:
o Wrap around brick parking structure shops below
 
#2. Core Expansion-North
List three important features for your proposal:
Plaza
o Change 1 story 60's buildings to 2-3 story-parking under
o Retain parking lot for green trees
 
#3. Core Expansion-West
List ways housing could be added to the transition area:
o Remove 60's buildings
o Make step-back 3 story
o Underground parking
 
#4. Core Transition-West
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Maintain bungalow-some single stories-be a second story only if parking is resolved
o Needs landscaping
 
#5. Core Transition-North
In 20 years, what should the area be like?
o Maintain mix of 40% residential and 60% business
o Maintain bungalow appearance
o Maintain landscape and trees
o Transit
o "Warm" pedestrian people friendly
 
#6. G Street
List the features in the future of G Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
o Consider architectural features to tie it together
o Preserve the facade of 2nd & G of historic building
o Small shops and residential
 
#7. Third Street
List the features in the future of 3rd Street. Make sure you identify its "character segments" on the map.
Bungalows
o Make more connection to Central Park
o More continuity of architectural features with new features
o New features work well need to expand connection between park and core area
 
#8. Central Park
List the types of uses and design features you would imagine around Central Park in 20 years:
o What happened to café? Finish café.
o Like it as is
 
#9. Gateway Area
List the three most important future characteristics of the Gateway area:
o Residential theme with business features
o Green color with landscaping
o Make more pedestrian (easy) conducive at Entry over-crossing
There needs to (be) another way from Olive Street
o Pedestrian-textured crossways
 
 
Additional notes on the plan:
o Need long term parking on UCD campus
o Overall architectural look, has upstairs residential "homey" look
 


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