Walnut Creekers Have Ideas for Broadway Plaza

Dozens of Walnut Creekers attended three workshops at different times of the day Tuesday at the downtown library to pass on their ideas for the future of Broadway Plaza.

The sessions were organized by Macerich, the owner of the 60-year-old pedestrian plaza. Broadway Plaza is a mainstay of the south end of Walnut Creek's downtown.

In the back of the library's Oak Room, the plaza owners posted a hundred photos sampling public plazas in cities around California and the world. It gave participants ideas for walkways, landscaping, squares and green space.

Then the residents stood up to tell Macerich their ideas.

Zaif Ismaili advocated a skating rink as a "star attraction." He also favored wide walkways with accommodations for vendors selling fruits and vegetables.

Beverly Dubrin asked for "some consideration for getting rid of automobile traffic on Broadway Plaza (a public street running in the middle of the plaza property)." She also sought more boutiques "that aren't part of a big chain."

Gregory Randall asked for a bigger plaza space, an open area large enough for concerts and other events that might attract a crowd to the plaza.

Randall also advocated creative architecture to "visually connect" with two creeks that run under the plaza — as much as 25 feet under. He said landscape architects could improve on the already attractive entrance of one creek from the south end of the plaza, along Newell Avenue.

One suggestion was for nightlife spread around to different parts of the plaza to keep up nighttime energy.

Cathy Kora would like to see more benches and more outdoor sculptures.

"Get local artists involved," she said.

Chuck Davis, a Macerich vice president, presided over the sessions. He said Macerich had two guarantees:

• "we will improve that parking experience."
• "we will work within the existing general plan."

Macerich has been gathering input from Walnut Creekers, who generally like Broadway Plaza, Davis said. But there are some changes they'd like, which were projected on a screen in the Oak Room:

• Do something about the parking and traffic flow

• Broaden the retailer mix — while there is an appreciation for the quality of retailers at the center, we need to be sure there is a range of shopping in other price ranges, as well

• Add restaurants  — Walnut Creek is the perfect platform for the outdoor dining experience

• More shade & climate — add features to keep cool

• Building height — stay within Walnut Creek's voter-established height limits.