AgdaPkt 2002-10-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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This interest in housing was also demonstrated by the attendance of an estimated 100 people at the Housing Symposium on September 21,2002, many of whom were in the real estate and development business. The need to be prepared to move ahead with the cinema project in a timely manner and the high level of development and investment interest in the greater downtown area have made apparent the need to develop a better understanding of downtown implementation issues and future opportunities and challenges. We are also experiencing significant development pressures in other areas of the City. Abbott Laboratories is proposing a 530-540,000 square foot research and developmenfJmanufacturing/office facility on the former Cargill Salt Pile site; and Glenborough-Pauls is proposing over 1,900 units and 500,000 square feet of office at the Marina Shores project. Staff is working to build the internal resources to be able to conduct quality site plan review with City staff. The Council's action to approve two new planning positions in the 2002-04 budget will assist this effort. With so many large and complex projects, however, we must use the resources of outside urban designers to supplement internal staff efforts. The Redevelopment Board and City Council have already approved an agreement with Terry Bottomley for the provision of site planning and urban design review in connection with the Kaiser Hospital Plan, the Bayfront Plan and the Marina Shores Project. These projects fully occupy Mr. Bottomley. However, Redwood City and the Redevelopment Agency have additional projects which need urban design input. These include: 1. Design assistance with planning for the development of Block 2 of the Retail/Cinema Project and the effective linkage of the downtown, Sequoia Station, the multi-modal transit facilities in the area; 2. Assistance with the site planning and urban design of Block 1 of the Retail/Cinema Project, in order to insure its successful integration with the existing historic and retail fabric of the downtown, and carefully assess traffic and circulation impacts of the project; 3. Design assistance with planning for the South Main Street Redevelopment Area in order to effectively identify and plan for both short term and long term development opportunities, as well as provide for effective public input and participation; 4. Site planning and design review of the Abbott Laboratories project; 5. Design assistance and training related to downtown revitalization, in general, including guidance on how to make good public spaces, improve the retail vibrancy of the area, and how to successfully integrate higher density projects (including mixed-use and housing) into the existing fabric of the downtown in order to successfully implement the policies and goals outlined in the proposed Downtown Area Plan; 6. Training of Planning and Redevelopment staff in site planning and design 2