In 2008 the Village Association developing a Master Plan to improve and upgrade the public spaces in the Village. We retained a local landscape architect, Leslie Golden, Golden Associates, to develop concepts and recommendations. Golden Associates developed the corridor along Hegenberger coming in from the Oakland airport and the Laurel District along Mac Arthur Blvd.
Above are some before and after renderings of some of the ideas considered for the Master Plan. Two public meetings and the input from many local merchants and residents were the basis for identifying the areas for improvement that are the basis for the Master Plan. Please remember these are "works in progress." We welcome your input at any time, and are looking for those of you who would be willing to help us in each stage of the Plan development (contact us by clicking here).
The Master Plan is addressing only public spaces in the Village. It does not address store fronts or private property. We are, however, developing a pallet of colors that we are recommending property owners consider when repainting or refurbishing buildings in the Village.
The stages of Plan development include:
- Brainstorming ideas (trees, pedestrian intersections, street lamps, banners, signs, benches, magazine racks, etc.
- Prioritizing which ideas to address first
- Determining costs for each phase
- Gaining City, AC Transit and other input on implementation strategies and costs
- Finalizing the Master Plan
- Brainstorming fundraising resources
- Obtaining funding and setting the Plan into action
The first phase of the Plan centers on the Antioch Court area, including improving sidewalk safety, redesigning the currently dangerous pedestrian crosswalk and redesigning the street for "mixed-use." Much of the time the street will be open to vehiclular traffic but at times closed as a pedestrian mall. This image gives you an idea of what is will look like. We are excited to be working with the Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) and other neighborhood organizations to get this first phase from concept to reality. Stay tuned for upcoming developments.
Like any project of this magnitude we expect it will take several years to accomplish the entire Master Plan. Our objective is to have a Plan to work toward, so changes to the Village occur in an orderly manner.