Project will begin with safety improvements at Church Street and Hartz Avenue.
The Town of Danville held a kick-off event today for the Downtown Master Plan Catalyst Project. Mayor Karen Stepper provided information on the purpose of the project, as well as the history of the event location, Prospect Park Plaza. Stepper also announced that the project would begin at the intersection of Church Street and Hartz Avenue before proceeding to 4 other intersections and two plazas. The $4.9 million project will bring pedestrian safety enhancements and community gathering spaces to the Downtown area to attract visitors and support economic vitality.
The event took place at what will become Prospect Park Plaza, a property at Hartz Avenue and Prospect Avenue that has been a community space since the early 1900s, and is owned by the Town. As part of the Catalyst Project, the space will be renovated with enhanced lighting, permanent seating areas, and a small stage. These improvements will come later in the project timeline, which is expected to begin the first week of April and conclude in late fall. The first phase of the project will be adding enhanced pedestrian crossings and pedestrian-friendly “bulb-out” extensions to the four corners of the intersections. These enhancements will slow traffic and increase visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.
“This investment in our community benefits residents, visitors, and business owners,” said Mayor Karen Stepper. “It is our hope to stimulate Downtown business, and have visitors be able to stay later in the day with enhanced lighting and places to enjoy art and music. Come watch us work!”
The initial Catalyst Project is part of a nine-component strategy to enhance historic Downtown Danville. This first component includes traffic calming and beautification improvements at five intersections along Hartz Avenue, from School Street to Linda Mesa Avenue, as well as improvements near the Village Theatre and Prospect Park Plaza.
The Town has taken steps to minimize impacts on Downtown businesses and visitors:
- All businesses will remain open and accessible: As we invest in the long-term success of Downtown Danville, we will ensure that the many wonderful shops, restaurants, and services remain open and accessible throughout the project.
- Hartz Avenue will remain open: Not only will businesses be accessible, but Hartz Avenue will not need to be closed until the very end of the project, and even then only for overnight paving. There may be some lane narrowing and other traffic flow adjustments, but the road will be open.
- When paving happens, it will be overnight: At the very end of the project, Hartz Avenue will be freshly paved to finish off the renovation. Paving work will be scheduled to happen overnight to avoid major traffic disruptions, unless unforeseen circumstances occur.
- Construction will be in phases, intersection-by-intersection: The project focuses on intersection improvements for pedestrian safety, which means that even the minimal disruption of construction will be isolated at any given time. Within each intersection, work will also be limited to one side of the street at a time, whenever possible.
- Most construction activities will happen Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: A major part of daily life for so many residents is strolling Downtown Danville, especially evenings and weekends. Visit your favorite businesses and check in on the construction progress without active construction happening.
- Downtown community events will go on as planned: While there may be some adjustments to locations, summer events such as the Devil Mountain Run, Hot Summer Sunday Car Show, and the Kiwanis-Danville 4th of July Parade will happen as scheduled. More details on modifications will be available closer to the event dates.
The Catalyst Project represents the culmination of a years-long planning effort to revitalize the downtown experience and adapt to evolving community needs. The initial project responds to the highest priorities highlighted in the Danville 2022 Downtown Master Plan Update: more community gathering space, stronger connections to and through downtown, enhancing pedestrian safety, and opportunities to incorporate arts and culture. The 2022 update was developed after significant public input that included a survey, public meetings, and stakeholder interviews.
The Town Council awarded the project contract in February to Grade Tech, Inc. following a public bid process. Community members can follow the project, provide feedback, and review progress on the Downtown Master Plan project page at www.danvilletowntalks.org.
Photos and videos for media use available at www.danville.ca.gov/media-dmp (password: media). For more information, contact Jenn Starnes, Public Information Officer, at 925-314-3336 or jstarnes@danville.ca.gov.