AgdaPkt 2011-07-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attac6.3.C. - Page 11 8. Caltrain Station Area Planning Ongoing dialogue with SamTrans staff related to train station area planning, high speed rail, grade crossings and the integration of the train station and tracks into the middle of downtown to create a seamless connection between Broadway and Sequoia Station /ECR. 9. Grand Boulevard Initiative (GBI) Involvement in the regional GBI supported the corridor planning of the General Plan update process and included: a. Staff continues to support the GBI Working Committee, facilitate City input on the design guidelines for the Grand Boulevard Multimodal Transportation Corridor Plan and the GBI Progress Report. b. Completed the streetscape improvements on El Camino Real, between Broadway and Brewster using GBI design concepts. The project enhances the pedestrian experience by widening the sidewalks, adding street trees, pedestrian -scale lighting, tree grates, benches, permeable pavers adjacent to curbs, bulb -outs to narrow pedestrian crossings, wider medians for pedestrian refuges, and narrowed lanes to slow down traffic. Total cost for this project was $1.8 million. This project received federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as well as Congestion Management and Air Quality Board (CMAQ) funding. Additionally, there were funds from the RDA and the City's Capital Improvement Program. 10. Business Expansion, Retention and Attraction. a. Continued efforts to manage the four vendor spaces in Courthouse Square pavilions b. A retail vacancy of storefronts in the downtown is continually updated and monitored. Several property owners with vacant storefronts were notified requesting they collaborate with the staff to upgrade the exterior. Staff continues to work with landlords and potential tenants to facilitate leasing of vacant spaces. Staff also works with existing retailers needing to find another location in the area by providing a listing of available sites. c. Continued dialogue with interested business and property owners interested in receiving an Agency grant from the Storefront Improvement Program. d. 31 new businesses opened in the downtown area. Of these, 13 were new restaurants and retail establishments, 11 were service /medical related, and seven were technology related. e. On -going liaison with the Downtown Business Group and the Arts Group f. The recognition of "art" as an economic development tool for Downtown by funding the Art Walk held the second Saturdays during the summer months and the Phantom Gallery program that installed local art in vacant storefronts.