As the city prepares for a significant upgrade to its downtown, San Carlos is finalizing the design for the central focus of the revamp, the 700 block of Laurel Street and Harrington Park.
At the Feb. 10 meeting, the San Carlos City Council gave initial feedback on a schematic design of the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, which includes a redesign of Harrington Park and Laurel Street between Cherry and Olive streets. This was one of four meetings in which the council will discuss designs.
Groundbreaking for the very beginning of this extensive project is slated for November, and will begin with establishing revamped public restrooms, a sculptural play element and plentiful seating in Harrington Park, serving as a major entry point onto Laurel Street.
In addition to the majority positive feedback from council, Karen Molinari, who sits on the Economic Development Advisory Commission, said she’s pleased with how the plans are looking.
“I’m really optimistic that it’s going to bring a lot more foot traffic down into our downtown area for our businesses along Laurel Street,” Molinari said during public comment.
Other amenities will include a major canopy placed over the restrooms, which will be single occupancy and genderless, and an outdoor hand-washing station. Trees and bioretention planting will also be placed throughout the park.
Where Harrington Park and Laurel Street meet will be a new elevated pavilion, apt for performances or everyday use as table space.
On Laurel Street, on the opposite side of the pavilion, will be a water feature of some sort, including a vertical component that will be a major “focal element” on the street. Additional features for children and families may include the installation of jets or an extended basin of water.
Although the area is positioned as a central plaza to the downtown, councilmembers asked staff to make sure it is still easily walkable as a main promenade.
“One of my concerns will always be if we’re going to use this as the main focal point, I don’t want it to bottleneck where it turns into a Taylor Swift concert where no one can get by each other,” Councilmember Neil Layton said. “I just want to make sure our features aren’t making that worse.”
Councilmember John Dugan also noted that the existing Harrington Park has many beloved features that “we’re not going to forget about” including the memorial bricks laid out. He added that the existing newspaper boxes should also be considered in the updated designs.
“I think we should start communicating what we’re going to do with those and where they may end up,” Dugan said, noting that the bricks and stands will be properly moved and repurposed.
Staff will be presenting updates on the schematic design at coming council meetings, and is planning to review and confirm the finalized design in April.
(1) comment
I have been wondering what will happen to the existing parklets? The plans I have seen don't seem to have that in the design, will it just be open seating with umbrellas and not walls?
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