Plumas Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization

The Plumas Street Improvements Project represents the second phase of Freedman Tung & Bottomley’s highly successful Central City Specific Plan & Revitalization Strategy which dramatically revitalized an underutilized area dominated by declining industrial uses into a new central city “workplace district” anchored by a central boulevard (Plumas Street) and town square. The success of the new workplace district has catalyzed significant revitalization of the downtown and helped knit together adjoining neighborhoods. The Plumas Street Improvements carry forth some of the same design language as the Central City project, transforming the previously underutilized and economically stagnant downtown portion of the street corridor into a highly amenitized linear open space. The project includes “flexible zone” parking areas that can be used for outdoor dining or as additional commercial space during street fairs or other special events. Custom designed street furnishings, including specialty paving, light fixtures and concrete benches with built in flower urns, help create an inviting environment for shopping and strolling. The improvements are also designed to help create a supportive environment for the City’s highly successful Farmers’ Market. Part of a larger strategy for revitalizing the downtown area, the project includes policy components that help focus the location of selected land uses in the historical district, creating a walkable “main street” that includes municipal services, entertainment venues, sit-down dining and specialty shopping. The final project was completed on time and under budget, in time for the beginning of the critical Christmas shopping season.

Collaborators: Conley Consulting, Carlile Macy, SFE Design Inc., Rempel Architects
Construction Cost: $13.4 Million