SPECIAL REPORT: Taking a closer look at Salinas Downtown Vibrancy Plan

Some say it will be the greatest revitalization that Oldtown Salinas has ever seen – a sought out destination that is a hub of arts, history and housing. But critics say the Downtown Vibrancy Plan could kill the vibe of the newly named “Salinas City Center.”

If a city’s downtown is the heart, then its Main Street is the spine. Over time, both get older and need attention. That’s what’s happening in Salinas City Center, once called Oldtown, where work is underway to modernize the vulnerable 1980’s infrastructure.

“The downtown vibrancy plan is trying to reflect everything Salinas, not just south Salinas or east Salinas or west Salinas but everything Salinas,” said Don Reynolds, acting Public Works Director for the City of Salinas.

It’s a massive effort that’s been in the works for five years. The downtown boundaries span from the Amtrak Train Station south to San Luis Street, from Capitol to Monterey Streets.

The plan has four themes:

“Downtown Destination” that makes it easier for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and vehicles to get around Managing parking resources “Building the Heart of Salinas” to make it lively and family friendly Stimulate new development with businesses and housing

Part of making Downtown Salinas a destination means reconfiguring the roads. Alisal Street would lose a lane in each direction, with space going to a center lane dedicated to turns and the addition of bike lanes. Monterey, Salinas and Main Streets would turn into two-lane roads. Some of the angled parking would go and parallel parking would be installed.

“So people stop and drive through the downtown instead of around it,” Reynolds said. “And if people are driving through our downtown on two-way streets, you have twice as many eyes on each door front window, as we do right now on one-way streets. So this is why the two-way streets is an improvement for the merchants. It’s going to cast more eyes on the windows.”

People who work in the area weighed in.

“I think they ought to leave things the way they are,” said Jack Kirk at Sierra Pacific Mortgage Corporation. “It’s pretty nice downtown the way it is”

“The way it’s going right now, it sort of works,” said Teresa Cerros. “But people tend to want both ways, so it might be a good idea.”

Parking was a concern they both had. The city is looking at ways to manage street parking as well as putting in a new parking structure.

Another hot-button topic: trees. Some are more than 30 years old and may have to go. Business owners are concerned it could hurt curb appeal. The city said it is sympathetic but has to look at the bigger picture.

Downtown Salinas is in Council Member Steve McShane’s district. He said there’s a commitment on the part of the city to save as many trees as possible, but some pose many risks.

“Road beds and sidewalks that are just old and have posed damaged to electrical, sewer, water, you name it,” McShane said. “And if the tree is engaged in that, ultimately it’s going to have to go. So it comes down not what’s above ground or how beautiful it is, but what sort of safety threat it poses below ground.”

The vibrancy plan also calls for creating a sense of community with shops, restaurants, open space and room for major events.

“It will be interesting to see how things change as our economy evolves away from retail stores and into more the experience of shopping,” Reynolds said. “And that’s what we’re trying to create is a sense of place downtown, this wonderful place to shop versus ‘I’m here to buy this, in and out cold, fast. We’re trying to create a personable experience, a place that people remember, enjoy food with their family, catch a movie and stay and make it a whole experience.”

And to help boost business, the city wants to eventually bring in WiFi and bandwidth. Future plans include more businesses and housing.