World Class or Standard?

Last Monday night the City Council, sitting as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), held our first hearing on the way to choosing a preferred land use plan for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

You can learn about the current proposals and review the Community Advisory Committee’s process by checking out the material available on the Concord Community Reuse Project website.

You can also watch – provided you have about 5 hours – the staff presentation and public testimony from November 17th by visiting the City’s website and viewing the webcast of that meeting.

I appreciated the fact that most of the 50+ speakers at the meeting were positive, offered constructive criticism and/or expressed genuine concerns about the plan’s future impacts.  Many were also quite specific – which is also helpful.

A regional stakeholders group provided suggestions on how to improve the Cluster Villages alternative to better integrate educational facilities and potential office parks for green or new technologies.

The Neighborhood Alliance made specific requests like the size of any open space buffer and the permanence of open space designations to protect existing homes that border the Base.

All in all the hearing went well.

One thing, among many, I’m still struggling with though is the concept of “world class”.  Creating a “world class” project has been one of the City’s goals and guiding principles from the beginning.  The approximately 20 members of the Community Advisory Committee worked diligently to craft their recommendations with the idea that they meet the goals and guiding principles, including the “world class” criteria.  What do you think? Is the project “world class”?  If not, what would make it “world class”?

The next public meeting on the Reuse Plan is set for 6:30 pm on December 1st at the Concord Senior Center – 2727 Parkside Circle.

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Category: Concord

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

  • http://halfwaytoconcord.com BGR

    Indeed, what does “world class” even mean?

    These meaningless buzz terms are overused hyped-up marketing jargon from the computer industry: world class, next-generation, best practices, anon.

    Gag me.

    Uncritical use of these bullshit terms indicate unbridled group think, as well as lack of clarity and purpose.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p010536175325970b koka101.myopenid.com

    World class is a standard that will not be reached. Someone somewhere will be unhappy with what is done with the land. We all have an opinion of what we would like and there is no way to make everyone happy. All I ask is that there are some new parks put in place that are well taken care of so people in the area can walk their dogs and go for a jog.

  • B

    At this point, with the BIG PICTURE that we are looking at…we cannot simply create a world-class project; rather we can create the potential for world class projects.

    I believe we are getting there with this project.

    The protection of the critical and sensitive habitats east of the creek, providing public access and outdoor recreation opportunities with the East Bay Regional Park District involved, and abundant trails throughout the developed and protected areas of the site contribute to this.

    Not many Cities of Concord’s size are blessed with the access to the outdoors as Concord is. That is world class.

    The synergy between the university, the Transit Oriented Development areas, and the potential businesses could be world class. Similar to the Mission Bay development in San Francisco. This would be world class.

    Providing quality high density housing near where people can work and recreate.

    I believe the development on teh CNWS can transform existing areas of Concord in a positive way and support the excellent redevelopment that has occured downtown.

    Providing for growth while preserving open space while establishing cultural, educational, and industrial centers is world class.

    I imagine the day that Concord will be on the map as an enviable community. One where hikers and bikers from all points of the Bay Area will travel via BART to connect to this vast interconnected network of regional park, including Mt. Diablo, where they can do a 40+ mile loop on both paved and unpaved trails, with vast vistas, beautiful oak woodlands, and a vibrant community centered downtown and near the N Concord BART station. Outdoor recreation accessible via public transportation. Brilliant.

    I envision a district where students from across the State come to study at the new college campus and find research and employment opportunities in the nearby businesses seeking an educated labor force. Research institutions focused on finding solutions for solving the Delta ecological crisis. Or engineering firms working with the refineries to limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

    I envision a vibrant community that provides a range of housing for young professionals through senior citizens, engaged in a model of urban living that is abundant with outdoor and cultural opportunities.

    Looking at a piece of paper…its easy for people to say that this is not world-class. With a little vision though, its easy to see that these two plans provide the opportunity to make the entire City of Concord world class.

  • Jan

    I really like the village concept

    what I don’t like is that there are so many groups NOT from concord that are always speaking about the project at the meetings. They are always telling us what they want.

    World class is important, A university for sure, great walking connections to the “old part of Concord” a financial stable project. NO subsidized housing, we need tax dollars.

  • Jim

    It has the waterway right through the middle. Why not make it like “The river walk in San Antonio , Texas. A really great place to eat and shop and every body goes there. There is stages for singers and gandolas that travel up and down

  • http://halfwaytoconcord.com BGR

    Puhleeze.

    You make it sound like whatever happens will be “world class” whatever the heck that means.

    I don’t see anything in the CA or City plans that will have the CNWS impact the problems other Concord neighborhoods face like the world class pockets poverty and illiteracy in the Monument community.

    Please get real instead of pumping sunshine up everyone’s ass.

  • C

    World class, How about no more high density housing. No one dreams of going to live where there is high density housing.

    I like the idea of a university. I understand that kids need a place to live while at school, Its called dorms…not apartment buildings which turn into dumps.

    High density housing always turn into the trouble spots and kill property values for all the home owners around. Not to mention makes it so no one wants to go on walks to the store or even enjoy a nice evening.

    But I always dream of the small town atmosphere. I wish they would turn concord blvd into a 25 mph one lane in each direction road, with huge park like side walks…and I don’t even live there. Imagine how nice todos santos plaza would be with that to lead up to it.

  • desaine

    I have lived in Concord all my life (over 40 years). Concord has always had and Identity problem. These plans are nothing special. I almost fainted when I heard Mark Peterson say “Convention Center” AGIAN. How many years have they been trying that to make Concord a convention center? Please, Concord is not a a place that people want to come for a convention (yet). The shopping is in Walnut Creek and all the sight seeing is threw the tunnel. I agree with “B” a college, research center and green space are great ideas. I would add green housing and public a transit system that is efficient. How about a Veterans home like the one in Yountville? Ours could be big beautiful and have all the latest
    technology to help our returning vets.

  • EdiBirsan@astound.net

    World Class brings up a vision that what is presented would be accepted elsewhere in the world and accepted with preference as a top of the line approach.

    Looking at the two plans is this something that a new expanding city in China would copy? What about in Saudi Arabia or Iraq where there is either lots of money and a need to rebuild.

    Would there be any place in Europe that would want to copy these plans?

    What aspects of these plans are unique and or advancements over the challenges of adding 25 per cent of a city’s growth all at once?

    Or would one be more accurate to describe the current plans as a throw back to the days of the railroad coming to town where everything is thrown at the rail station?
    As for the Village concept what CITY that has a perception of desiring World Class status creates totally separate self contained villages within itself as if screaming to the world that our city community is not worthy of inclusion in the expansion?

    These are the questions to ask oneself about World Class.
    Then take your answers from your biases and go forward.

    Edi Birsan

  • B

    It’s that kind of simple logic and lack of vision that has left Concord planning nothing but new Home Depot’s and Chuckie Cheeses for the past 10 yrs. Concord hasn’t tried to do anything innovative since the Spirit Poles, which was well meaning but poorly thoughtout.

    I don’t think its too hard to envision a day where the people in Concord can walk around with a little sunshine up there ass.

    Actually, Walnut Creek has done a great job of implementing some of these types of ideas. Quality high density housing around BART. A cultural center like the Lesher Theatre. A high quality shopping district like the downtown area.

    Concord could actually be more. The downtown, while vastly improved, could be so much more. It’s on of the only downtowns in Contra Costa with a zoccalo. The fact that 1/2 of the street frontage is vastly underutilized is a travesty. There is a downtwon BART within a quarter mile of that area. The Monument Corrdior is the primary entry into the City. It is smack dab between two major BART stations, and connects to the Pleasant Hill “downtown” area (which is thriving). A light-rail or bus rapid transit system could work to create the nodes and create some very attractive redevelopment opportunities. That corner of Monument and Oak Grove could be a quality village in and of itself. Sun Valley Mall is some of the City’s prime freeway frontage and sqandered in an insular block building surrounded by a sea of parking.

    I am not saying the two CNWS plans will change any of this, but its not hard to envision some real opportunities throughout the City. With as much attention as is being paid by the development community to the CNWS (largest undeveloped property in the Bay Area…development potential upwards of $1 billion), it would be very shortsighted and plain ol’ dumb to not see this project as a major catalyst for the entire city.

    So we can look through our microscope at the CNWS and quivle where every car might go and play into chicken-little concerns about high-density equaling low income…or we can take a holistic view and actually sieze the opportunity.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/guybjerke Guy Bjerke

    Jan-

    I understand your concern and would love to hear from more Concord residents. The Federal Government requires us to address homeless assistance as part of the Reuse Plan. A financial stable project is the Council’s goal. Thanks.

  • http://halfwaytoconcord.com BGR

    envision
    light-rail
    quality village (at Monument and Oak Grove, no less)
    holistic view
    attractive redevelopment
    catalyst

    Sorry, I’m all buzz-termed out.

    Please get a grip, step back, and let the professionals screw this up in their own way and time.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/guybjerke Guy Bjerke

    B-

    Thanks for your thoughts. Planning for the Base Reuse may very well lead to a “re-think” about future development city-wide.

  • B

    Maybe you prefer:

    big box
    sprawl
    chain store
    cookie cutter
    foreclosure
    congestion
    miopic
    blight

    My apologies for the optimism. It must be a product of my youth. Clearly, the younger generation has a lot to learn from your pessimism.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p010536224183970c Rob

    I’d like to see about 4500 custom built homes on half acre lots in a gated setting complete with golf courses and country clubs. I would guess that 4500 single family dwellings create no more traffic than 13000 condos and apartments in a transit village. Probably no more of an environmental impact either. Concord has more than its share of medium and high density rental housing and downscale living units. We need upscale, and I’m not talking upscale condos on the fifth floor of a high density project. I’m talking big houses on big lots. I agree with Helen Allen. Who wants to raise a family on the fifth floor? Especially next door to the other family with four kids also on the fifth floor?

    As for everything else, who are we kidding? Universities and genome projects? This isn’t like Field of Dreams …”if you put it on the map, it will come.”

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p01053628738d970c ConcordMike

    Guy, Thanks for taking the time to ask for input. I am not a member of any of the groups you have already heard so much from. My wife and I have lived in Concord for 28 years and raised our kids here.

    To answer your question, I think a world class development is one that makes Concord unique and desirable. Having a four year college that integrates into the community through the arts, business research, athletics and other venues is a part of that picture. Another part is a diverse variety of family-friendly entertainment, dining, and recreation options.

    Each of these features is important, but the backbone of the development needs to be transportation. How can people move throughout the development, and even into the older parts of Concord, in a fun and exciting way? San Francisco has cable cars. Larger urban areas have subways. Concord needs a municipal (or privately run) trolly system. Trolly tracks could be laid to connect the Villages to BART, and a spur could run down Willow Pass road to connect all the retail and downtown areas to the new development.

    The trollys do not have to be big and expensive air conditioned units. They could be modeled more after the San Francisco cable cars in appearance, and could move down the street with regular vehicle traffic. .

    To get this started, the trolly route could be a central feature in each village, and would travel through retail corridors to connect to BART. Adding a spur down Willow Pass road could be done later. Ridership minimums could be guaranteed by requiring the new homeowners associations to purchase tickets for all homeowners. This base of “free” riders would guarantee system viability, and those who come to town to visit could purchase all day tickets.

    Thanks again for the opportunity to provide input.

  • http://halfwaytoconcord.com BGR

    Wow ease up Concord Mike! We already have a system of subsidized public transportation that does not work. Let’s get a spade in the ground before creating another one.

  • http://halfwaytoconcord.com BGR

    I want what B’s smoking.