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Phase 1 <br />During the first phase of the study, PRCS and SERA Architects (SERA) presented <br />the project at several community meetings, including the Parks and Recreation <br />Commission, a joint session with the Planning Commission and Complete <br />Streets Advisory Committee and City Council. PRCS and SERA also met with City <br />Staff across several departments such as Library, Fire, Police, Planning and <br />Engineering (including Transportation) to discuss the intent of the study and to <br />gather input from the different divisions. The comprehensive assessment of all <br />six sites indicated that aspects such as "Eyes on the Park" and Crime Prevention <br />through Environmental Design (CPTED) were essential to creating a safe, <br />welcoming public space that could potentially encourage more visitors to the <br />downtown as well as improve foot traffic for downtown businesses. The Police <br />Department specifically noted the existing issues with crime and unwanted <br />behavior in Roselli Park that could be alleviated through the implementation of <br />CPTED principles. <br />Also during this Phase, PRCS met with several business organizations such <br />as the Chamber of Commerce, Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA) <br />and the Downtown Business Group (DBG). Before the event, PRCS and DBG <br />also initiated door-to-door visits to business surrounding the proposed park <br />locations as well as correspondence to the DBG about the study and the <br />Pop-up Park. Despite the general support for a downtown park, the downtown <br />business community expressed concern about the loss of parking, in particular <br />convenient surface lot parking during the day. The discussions, notably <br />thoughtful and informative, led to ideas for mitigative measures regarding <br />parking and significant considerations for site selection. <br />Phase 1 concluded with a presentation of all Site Assessment findings to <br />Council by SERA and PRCS. During this public hearing, PRCS requested that <br />Council select the sites that they would like to see proceed to the subsequent <br />phase of the study which included Site Planning, Site Improvements, and the <br />related cost analysis. It was at this public hearing that PRCS also received <br />direction from Council with regards to proceeding with further Community <br />Engagement. <br />At right, scenes from the Pop -Up Park. Residents <br />climb the rock wall in Main Street parking lot. <br />24 <br />DOWNTOWN PARKS SITE ASSESSMENT 6 FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT <br />0 <br />CQ <br />(D <br />N <br />rn <br />