Design and permits for the first part of a multiphase revamp of downtown San Carlos were approved by the city’s Planning Commission on Monday, giving a final check before improvements can begin at Harrington Park.
The reimagined park, located near the center of the 700 block of Laurel Street, will include a repaved open space, a new multipurpose building that will include two public restrooms and hand-washing station, replaced trees and a mass timber pavilion extending over the restroom building.
The Planning Commission’s approval of the planning entitlements for the redevelopment of Harrington Park is a final step before construction can begin, marking a key milestone in San Carlos’ goal to revive its downtown.
“It’s a very welcome change to the downtown,” Commissioner Twisha Anand said. “It’s going to encourage our downtown businesses and bring more to the downtown.”
On June 9, the San Carlos City Council approved moving forward with updating Harrington Park, which is designated as Phase 1A in the council’s plans to revamp downtown. Phase 1B will include improvements to the 700 block of Laurel Street.
The multiuse building will be 674 square feet, reaching approximately 14.5 feet tall, and located at the northeast corner of Harrington Park. It will include the two public restrooms, storage space and a mechanical room to maintain a future fountain slated to be established in Phase 1B. It will also include a drinking fountain and outdoor hand-washing station located under the mass timber pavilion.
The redevelopment will include getting rid of the trees currently located in Harrington Park, 10 of which are protected and must be replaced by the city, Senior Planner Rendell Bustos said. Additional trees will likely be implemented through the 1B phase to counteract those lost, Bustos said.
The blue man statue currently located in the park is also set to be relocated within a similar area of the 700 block of Laurel Street.
Donor bricks will also be repurposed and included in the site, and the city is considering if it will be able to add more, Planning Manager Lisa Porras said.
“There’s a lot of surface area that presents a lot of opportunity,” Porras said.
The Planning Commission approved the design review, protected tree removal permit and code variance for the redevelopment of Harrington Park. The action is final, unless appealed to the City Council within 10 days.
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