Exploring Development – Placemaking and Community Engagement
By Robert Haugh
I’ve recently written a couple columns about Santa Clara’s need for more entertainment. This month, we’ll have a few interesting events in our city about development and “placemaking.” Let’s hope the experts and the community identify some great opportunities that also include entertainment for Santa Clarans.
Here are some noteworthy events to attend or watch online. The events will be live-streamed via Facebook by both HosamTalks and Win6. But, of course, you should attend if possible. The first one is tonight.
Change, Growth & Planning: Envisioning Santa Clara County 3.0 Land Use Workshop – with Don Weden
March 14th – 5 to 7 p.m.
Santa Clara City Council Chambers
Don Weden is a retired senior planner for the County of Santa Clara. He’ll discuss our local aging population and how we prepare for a future where seniors and others won’t be able to drive much in a community built around the automobile. He’ll present strategies for Santa Clara County on the environment and on sustainability.
Placemaking as a Focus
March 24th – 6 to 8 p.m.
Santa Clara University – Locatelli Center
The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) will introduce themselves to our community. Internationally recognized place making expert and co-founder of the PPS, Fred Kent, will be the speaker. PPS has been engaged by the City to evaluate opportunities throughout Santa Clara to create or revitalize public spaces.
Visioning BAREC/Win6
March 25th – 9 to 11 a.m.
Santa Clara Senior Center
PPS will lead and facilitate a hands-on workshop on the BAREC/Win6 development that The Core Companies hope to build at 90 North Winchester Blvd., near Santana Row. Local businessman and community leader Kirk Vartan of Win6 has pushed for an “agrihood” on this site for years.
Do these meetings provide an opportunity for discussion? Or do the speakers present and leave? Thanks.
Each meeting is varied. Some will have discussion, others do not.
I think this is a great idea somewhere else. Fresh farm-to-table in an urban jungle is not my idea of a nice life. I also believe that the majority of people do not want to live in a planned high density urban environment.
My only concern it’s being forced on us and they want to build right over the people that want to still live in the neighborhood. Drive fifty or a hundred miles and do the same thing there. Entice all the electronic companies to build there.
The companies are here because people like to live here because it’s such a nice place, you screw it up then nobody wants to be here except Farm to Table Urban folks. In the meantime I’m going to hang on to my Suburbia and grow my own vegetables and try to stay away from the people that want to stand on top of me.
If you want people to attend, you should report that snacks will be served. LOL. These events look interesting, especially for someone like me who won’t be driving for much longer.