Incorporating a town square and the holidays would add so much to an already festive mood. Perhaps the lighting of a Christmas tree, Halloween party for families, Fourth of July gatherings with cake walks, face painting, carnival booths, etc. It makes me happy to think that we could have all this in our own town square.
Top 10 Reasons For a Town Square
- By : Ellen O'Donnell
- Category : Town Square
Town Square
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1. Beauty. A well-designed Town Square will give residents and visitors a reason to enjoy Castro Valley’s downtown and new streetscape.
2. Walkability. Successful downtowns are walkable. Improved walkability helps local businesses attract more customers and achieve greater success.
3. Ideal Location. The site is ideally located for a Town Square, at a T intersection, within walking distance of anchors such as the post office, banks, large restaurants, the Castro Village and unique local businesses and restaurants.
4. Focal Point. Castro Valley Boulevard’s streetscape improvements cost Alameda County $9 million, but people often still drive to park, do errands, and leave. Castro Valley needs a center and focal point on the boulevard to attract more shoppers, walkers, families with children, and seniors to the downtown.
5. Pride. A Town Square will enhance Castro Valley’s unique identity as a beautiful small town that is surrounded by trees and hills and is proud of its history, location, and family-friendly atmosphere.
6. Community. Community gatherings (including Castro Valley traditions such as the Fall Festival, Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade, and the Winter Lights Festival), special events, a relocated farmer’s market, summer concerts and outdoor movies all can happen at the new Town Square. These events bring life to the downtown and increase business for merchants.
7. Parking. Removing the building and creating a plaza will free up 30 to 40 parking spaces that would otherwise be assigned to a remodeled Daughtrey’s building.
8. Supply & Demand. Alameda County is planning to sell Daughtrey’s to a developer at a loss and add approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space on a boulevard that already has roughly 100,000 square feet of vacant retail and restaurant space for sale or lease.
9. Our Voice. Castro Valley residents deserve a much better solution for this site and a voice in its future. A Town Square will transform our downtown. More retail will make parking more difficult and flood the market with more space to lease.
10. Health. A Town Square benefits health and safety in Castro Valley. Shoppers and workers, children, and seniors will have more reasons to walk and get exercise. Removing Daughtrey’s will solve current environmental problems at the site: asbestos, lead, and toxic water under the building.
