Most people see a wide street with schizophrenic architecture reflecting the whims of several generations, some street-level parking lots, an aging supermarket and a few shops.

But dozens of architects who will descend on the city on Saturday, Sept. 30, see something different. They see possibilities.

They will be taking part in a collaborative design workshop called a “charrette” the city of Burlingame is sponsoring with AIA San Mateo County, a chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Members of the public are invited to come anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. to the workshop, which will be held at the Burlingame Recreation Center at 850 Burlingame Ave.

The term “charrette” comes from a 19th century exercise at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in France. Architectural students rushed to complete a design project within a set time. As the deadline neared, they would pile their drawings onto a cart called a charrette to convey them from the studio to the school. Some would jump into the cart and keep sketching on the way.

You’ll see that same exuberance at Burlingame’s charrette, where architects, landscape architects, architectural students, city planners, homeowners, renters, merchants, city employees, city commissioners, City Council members and interested passers-by will team up to envision the future of part of downtown Burlingame. Specifically, they will brainstorm together to create design concepts for revitalizing the area around Howard Avenue between El Camino Real and California Drive. They will also try to figure out ways to entice shoppers and pedestrians to meander down the side streets that connect Howard Avenue to the bustling Burlingame Avenue shopping area one block north.

The workshop is named “Destination: SOBA” to highlight Howard Avenue’s South of Burlingame Avenue (SOBA) location. The design charrette will produce multiple visions that will begin the process of guiding the city into the future. In early 2007 Burlingame will begin to create a new specific area plan that will reflect the community’s wishes for the entire downtown area, including the commercial and adjacent residential areas.

The architects participating in this unique exercise are experienced dream weavers. AIA San Mateo County has participated in more than 20 charrettes for local communities since the chapter was founded in 1983. All of the architects donate their time — and they are so absorbed in their sketching that it’s hard to make them stop at the end of the day. They can help you make your dreams for the city a reality.

What do you want for downtown Burlingame? Do you want gardens and public plazas? Mom-and-pop shops? A year-round farmer’s market? A theater? Public art? Mixed-use buildings and housing near transit? Fountains and trees? More places for children to play?

Imagine the possibilities.

Terry Nagel is the vice mayor of Burlingame.

Admission to the charrette is free. The public is invited participate in any or all discussions during the daylong event. The best time to voice ideas is from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the “brainstorming” portion of the charrette. During the afternoon, the public is still welcome, but there is less interaction as the architects rush to complete their sketches. The architectural teams will present their visions to the public from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Burlingame Vice Mayor Terry Nagel at TerryDNagel@aol.com or (650) 347-3576 or Maureen Brooks of the Burlingame Planning Department at (650) 558-7253, mbrooks@burlingame.org.