UPDATE Council Adopts EIR for Major Downtown Redevelopment

At its meeting Tuesday, the City Council worked out wording to allow for a future downtown hotel, public restrooms, and a pedestrian-friendly, renamed Commercial Lane before unanimously adopting the environmental  impact report for redevelopment of the area around Locust Street and Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

The council also considered the height limits on the "gateway" corner where the Chevron station now stands and decided that proceeds from the future sale of the publicly owned, 15-space parking lot at North Main Street and Mt. Diablo Boulevard should go to a fund to improve downtown parking management. 

Tuesday night's meeting centered on 5.4 acres of land and new retail, office, and residential space--and perhaps even a six-story boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant. The Locust Street/Mt. Diablo Boulevard Specific Plan also calls for 555 new parking spaces and outdoor walkways, including one along Commercial Lane, which could be renamed to sound more appealing. 

The area consists of 24 parcels, which include the former Mark Morris tire site and the Big Five store and McDonald's. The hotel would rise on the McDonald's site and be as large as 90,000 square feet.

The plan had already been the subject of two City Council sessions.

City staff took notes on council members' suggestions on wording of the plan, which provides a framework for new development of the area. Planners will bring the plan back for final approval at the council's July 20 meeting. 

A key goal of redeveloping the area, council members agreed,  is to enhance the goal of making the downtown a social and recreational destination for the entire East Bay--and also potentially from travelers who would stay in the hotel.