And then there were 3 | Columnists

Courthouse Sq. came about in 2005 when the city tore down the Courthouse Annex, a three-tale developing that because 1939 had stood in front of the courthouse. Not only experienced that annex eliminated the primary plaza, it had also blocked the see of the courthouse’s beautiful façade. Thanks to the metropolis, equally the historic courthouse and the sq. that sits in front of it as soon as all over again participate in an essential aspect in the existence of the town.

Though our existing plaza was designed by the metropolis, the doable new ones would be produced as aspect of some of the city’s quite a few improvement assignments. Mainly because the undertaking has currently been authorized, the most possible plaza to show up is a component of Greystar Development’s huge ELCO Yards (aka “South Primary Combined-Use”) job, which I count on will quickly split floor just south of Redwood City’s downtown.

ELCO Yards’ plaza — they call it a “public open space” — is slated for the corner of Primary and Chestnut streets, the place the historic steel “Perry’s Feed” get rid of is located currently. Despite the fact that for numerous factors the original shed can’t be preserved, Greystar plans to assemble a restaurant in its picture, 1 that would open on to their new public plaza.

The project’s preliminary strategies are brief on element, but the plaza seems most likely to be a lot more parklike and a lot less a sea of concrete, in contrast to Courthouse Square. That ought to make for a additional comfortable and inviting place, in particular for the duration of the very hot summer months. As for its dimensions, at just extra than 12,000 square feet, it would be smaller sized than the entirety of Courthouse Square but would be identical to the open plaza amongst the kiosks.

Greystar’s project seems on monitor to come to be a reality in a handful of many years. I individually am searching ahead to taking pleasure in their plaza, and the adjacent cafe, when it does. But Greystar’s is not the only new plaza I could locate myself taking pleasure in. A just lately sophisticated proposal — 1 bodily nearer to Courthouse Sq. — could convey nonetheless a different general public plaza to Redwood Town.

On Monday, the Metropolis Council reviewed Lane Partners’ up to date “1900 Broadway” venture, a venture that experienced failed to make the original cut for the duration of the city’s “Gatekeeper Process.” All through Monday’s conference, the council agreed to initiate the system of amending both of those the Normal Plan and the Downtown Precise Program in accordance with this, and 1 other, proposed challenge. While the two projects stay a very long way from feasible approval, they can now be formally submitted to the town, to do the job their way via the course of action.

As proposed, 1900 Broadway would be a 7-tale office environment, household and retail building on the corner of Broadway and Major Street where by Wells Fargo Bank’s downtown branch is located these days. The setting up that Lane Companions hopes to assemble would variety an “L” close to an 11,000-square-foot community plaza positioned at the corner of Broadway and Most important Street. Notice that this style and design only performs if Lane Partners can invest in both the portion of Spring Avenue that abuts their house and a roughly 4,500 sq. foot triangular parklet just throughout Spring Street, something that will depend on the final results of a website traffic examination that’ll be essential as part of their approval system.

This new plaza — which Lane Companions is calling “Public Commons” — must have a quantity of neighborhood-helpful facilities. While the true structure has nevertheless to be labored out — it will be group driven — Lane Associates shots it having “a little one-pleasant fountain, sport spaces and shaded area for outside eating and interaction with the adjacent retail spaces.” And they visualize it showcasing movies at night, complementing activities at Courthouse Sq..

Specified that Lane Partners’ new plaza would be separated from Courthouse Square by 3 blocks of Broadway that are chock entire of eating places and entertainments, it would bolster the area’s nighttime scene, and additional stimulate foot targeted traffic all through downtown. Of system, the venture is nevertheless a prolonged way from approval, a lot considerably less design, and might under no circumstances arrive to fruition. If it does, nevertheless, and assuming that Greystar builds ELCO Yards as it intends, inside of the next five to 10 yrs Redwood Metropolis could uncover by itself with three independent destinations where one particular could view outdoor flicks, delight in audio and attend artwork festivals. A few! Thinking about all of the very good that Courthouse Sq. has performed for Redwood City, it boggles the creativeness to contemplate what a few these kinds of plazas might do.

Greg Wilson is the creator of Going for walks Redwood Metropolis, a blog motivated by his walks throughout Redwood Town and adjacent communities. He can be arrived at at [email protected]. Comply with Greg on Twitter @walkingRWC.