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Architecture in Downtown Campbell Redevelopment
Posted: Feb 15 2007, 03:31 PM
There were two fascinating community meetings held by the City of Campbell (one on November 30, 2006 and the other on February 5, 2007) to discuss plans to redevelop East Campbell Avenue, specifically the area between the Light Rail tracks and Highway 17 underpass. You can download the Power Point presentation for the meeting here, but be warned: the file is 7MB in size.
One of the issues raised at the meeting was that of architecture. There is clearly a sense, by the specialists brought in to design the plan, that the one-story buildings currently along East Campbell Avenue between Railway and Union will probably be redeveloped over the long term to make better use of the land, given its value. This led to a larger discussion of: how would we like the extension of Downtown Campbell to look, architecturally?
As we have all seen, pseudo-Tuscan architecture is all the rage these days in South Bay, but is it the style best suited to Downtown Campbell, and should there be a height limit placed on buildings built in that area in the future? The specialist commented, at the February 5 meeting, that he was under the impression people would prefer buildings with varying roof lines and building styles in each block, no taller than 3 stories in height (with the occasional 4-story building thrown in for good measure). Yet, at the meeting, it became clear that certain elements in the development community would prefer much taller buildings, to make greater use of space, and it seemed to me there was less concern by them for the character of those buildings.
Community member Susan Blake spoke eloquently about her desire for architecture in Downtown Campbell that matched the surrounding buildings (those on East Campbell Avenue west of Railway) and spoke, aesthetically, to the unique and historic character of Downtown Campbell. She and her husband, Barry Shilman, have travelled to a number of downtown areas locally to see how downtowns are being redeveloped, and came across a very nice example in Livermore. I'm attaching their pictures of Downtown Livermore here (click on the thumbnails to expand), to show the kind of effect that can be created with low buildings of varying character that are somewhat reminiscent of the past, yet with a new twist.
What do you think about new architecture in Downtown Campbell? Should it match the "feel" of the current downtown area? Does the height of the buildings matter to you? Why or why not?
One of the issues raised at the meeting was that of architecture. There is clearly a sense, by the specialists brought in to design the plan, that the one-story buildings currently along East Campbell Avenue between Railway and Union will probably be redeveloped over the long term to make better use of the land, given its value. This led to a larger discussion of: how would we like the extension of Downtown Campbell to look, architecturally?
As we have all seen, pseudo-Tuscan architecture is all the rage these days in South Bay, but is it the style best suited to Downtown Campbell, and should there be a height limit placed on buildings built in that area in the future? The specialist commented, at the February 5 meeting, that he was under the impression people would prefer buildings with varying roof lines and building styles in each block, no taller than 3 stories in height (with the occasional 4-story building thrown in for good measure). Yet, at the meeting, it became clear that certain elements in the development community would prefer much taller buildings, to make greater use of space, and it seemed to me there was less concern by them for the character of those buildings.
Community member Susan Blake spoke eloquently about her desire for architecture in Downtown Campbell that matched the surrounding buildings (those on East Campbell Avenue west of Railway) and spoke, aesthetically, to the unique and historic character of Downtown Campbell. She and her husband, Barry Shilman, have travelled to a number of downtown areas locally to see how downtowns are being redeveloped, and came across a very nice example in Livermore. I'm attaching their pictures of Downtown Livermore here (click on the thumbnails to expand), to show the kind of effect that can be created with low buildings of varying character that are somewhat reminiscent of the past, yet with a new twist.
What do you think about new architecture in Downtown Campbell? Should it match the "feel" of the current downtown area? Does the height of the buildings matter to you? Why or why not?
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Posted: Feb 25 2007, 01:56 AM
| QUOTE (ArsNova @ Feb 15 2007, 02:31 PM) |
| There were two fascinating community meetings held by the City of Campbell (one on November 30, 2006 and the other on February 5, 2007) to discuss plans to redevelop East Campbell Avenue, specifically the area between the Light Rail tracks and Highway 17 underpass. |
"Fascinating" and "City of Campbell" community meetings don't belong in the same sentence. I know, I've been to one.
I'd prefer architecture that complements the existing downtown and maintains a historic feel. I've been to downtown Livermore before and it is aestetically pleasing. It's my feeling that Campbell planners don't generally like tall buildings or a lot of growth within our city. I don't think a 3 or 4 story building is unreasonable. I certainly don't want a cookie-cutter downtown.
