City of San Mateo Invites Community to Discuss the Qualities of a Great Downtown

SAN MATEO, CA – The San Mateo community is invited to participate in the Taste and Talk Forum on February 8th, which will provide an opportunity to discuss the latest land use, circulation, design, and market trends facing downtowns with planning, economic, design, and transportation experts from the Bay Area. Join us at the San Mateo Main Library (Oak Room) on Wednesday, February 8th (from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm) to hear a discussion of elements that make for a successful downtown.

Panelists for the Taste and Talk Forum include Kelly Kline, Economic Development Director/Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Fremont, Egon Terplan, Regional Planning Director of San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), and Karen Alschuler, Founding Principal of Cities+Sites at Perkins+Will.

As the next step in the Downtown Plan process, which included a very successful kick-off meeting, the Taste and Talk Forum will cover topics such as the trade-offs between a balanced mix of uses and densities with that of community-oriented benefits, streetscape amenities, as well as public and community spaces. It will also be a great opportunity for the community to share their thoughts on key elements that affect quality of life and downtown vitality.

“The downtown plan update is a valuable opportunity to respond to evolving economic, demographic and lifestyle trends in ways that will benefit the community for years to come. It's important for San Mateo to maintain a positive business climate and a welcoming downtown experience for everyone,” says Ann Fienman, Executive Director of the Downtown San Mateo Association (DSMA).

Future meetings will include Community Workshops and other Taste & Talk Forums to gather suggestions that will help to refine the community’s vision for downtown. For any questions regarding this important community planning process or to sign up for future emails, please send an email to downtownplan@cityofsanmateo.org.

We hope to see you at the February 8th forum at the San Mateo Main Library (Oak Room), located at 55 W. Third Ave. The event begins at 6:00 pm, with sign-in/registration beginning at 5:45 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP using Eventbrite for the February 8th forum.

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: City of San Mateo / Image via Shutterstock