What Are The Top Improvements Needed for Downtown Concord?

While the Music and Market Series puts downtown Concord in the spotlight, community members and local officials are thinking about how to improve the area. 

The Downtown Ad Hoc Steering Committee, chaired by Councilman Ron Leone, met last week to share ideas for the transformation, and Halfway To Concord contributor Richard Eber has written a list of his top 20 improvements for the area. His suggestions include the following:

• Fixing and widening the sidewalks around Todos Santos
• Making Grant Street one way and placing retail business’s and pocket parks along the two block stretch between BART and the town square
  
• Creating a special tax assessment district for downtown merchants to pay for infrastructure improvements and maintenance
  
• Constructing live/work space lofts for artists
  
• Finding an anchor tennant or store of a unique type to attract visitors, such as IKEA
  
• Bringing in cultural attractions, such as a performing arts center and/or museum
  
• Building a hotel convention center near BART
  
• Creating pedestrian walkway and/or bridges at Clayton Road, Concord Blvd and Willow Pass
  
• Building a bike and pedestrian friendly walkway underneath the tracks between Concord’s two BART Stations
  
• Filling up empty office space in the downtown area
  
• Constructing additional residential housing to increase activity in the area, especially at night
  
• Continue the free parking