DOWNTOWN EL SOBRANTE – A Look Toward The Future By Maurice P. Abraham Like stepping back into the 50s and 60s; that’s the impression on some first-time visitors to El Sobrante’s downtown. Almost every building harks back to that mid-century era, and aside from minor cosmetics few have changed since. This once-bustling shopping district peaked in the early 70s, at the time having a diverse mix of independent retail stores. Then began its transition; supermarkets outgrew their too small buildings and many independent stores closed as owners retired or sought other opportunities. Vacant buildings became home to thrift stores and a growing number of restaurants and service businesses. The 1958 opening of El Cerrito Plaza, followed by Hilltop Mall in 1976 and local ‘big box’ strip centers, as well as the proliferation of national chains that filled these new centers, all took their toll. The massive buying power of these corporate mega-retailers made it difficult for the independent retailer to compete. Fast forward. Today the large corporate retailers are being challenged. Business models based on networks of fancy brick and mortar stores are threatened by on-line shopping. This growing phenomenon is turning some stores into showrooms, where shoppers go to view and compare products before buying online. A recent Morgan Stanley Bank study found American e-commerce accounted for 10.4% of retail sales last year, up 9.3% from the previous year. Amazon is the leading force behind this trend, with North American sales up nearly 30% in 2015. As national chains close many of their brick and mortar stores and grow their on-line presence, all across the Country malls like Hilltop are being vacated and either redeveloped into urban mixeduse centers or closing completely. So, what impact do these trends have on older downtowns like El Sobrante? What might El Sobrante’s downtown look like in a decade or two? Perhaps its future can best be gleaned from Contra Costa County’s General Plan. Adopted in 2013, the plan’s guiding vision for downtown El Sobrante is, “to create a friendly, attractive, village-like downtown with a town center which includes central open space with surrounding retail services like 22 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM SEPTEMBER 2016 restaurants, book stores, a movie theater, café, grocery store, weekly farmers market, local art gallery, children services, etc.” The plan also seeks to “integrate multi-family residential, commercial services, financial services, and offices” in the form of urban mixed-use developments characterized by ground level commercial with housing above. Mixed-use developments such as this San Jose example are now encouraged in El Sobrante’s downtown. The town center and housing components are essential to downtown’s future. A town center would provide a community gathering place and become a prime commercial location. And, for downtown residents, a vibrant town center would become an integral part of their new lifestyle. Service businesses, coffee shops, entertainment venues restaurants and other food concepts would be prominent around the town center, as national trends show those increasing in number and retail store numbers decreasing. Today, progress is visibly evident in El Sobrante’s downtown. Contra Costa County has completed a $2.3 million project to improve the pedestrian experience and beautify the streetscape. Wider, safer sidewalks were constructed, traditional-style bus benches and trash receptacles added, and new street trees planted that will form a lush green seasonal canopy. Planted ceramic urns and historic markers also enhance the pedestrian experience. The sidewalk-embedded concrete markers designate points of historic interest and inform walkers about local history.
Contra Costa Marketplace - Sept 2016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above