San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 3: VISION FRAMEWORK

· Expand public space opportunities for children’s play, events, passive recreation, community garden, gathering, and dog use. · Explore strategies to improve existing public spaces, utilize other publicly owned property, pursue land acquisition/swap/ donation, and/or encourage pocket parks with large scale redevelopment. · Increase connection between built and natural environment within Downtown through additional green spaces, trees, landscaping, and connections to the riverfront. · Develop and strategy for sustainable maintenance of public spaces and amenities to discourage vandalism and increase safety. PUBLIC SPACES AND AMENITIES · Reconsider right-of-way allocation and priorities within the streetscape for key corridors in Downtown. · Enhance arrival experience and Downtown identity through gateways for all modes. · Increase streetscape beautification through materials, landscaping, amenities, and public art while assuring sustainable upkeep and maintenance. · Reimagine the 100 and 200 blocks of East San Antonio Street as a flexible street easily closeable to cars for events and periodic pedestrian days or seasons. PRIORITY STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENT · Pursue strategies to increase housing affordability within Downtown. · Establish opportunities for “middle housing” and diverse housing options desired by the community in appropriate locations Downtown. · Explore City-provided support for housing ownership opportunities. DOWNTOWN HOUSING OPTIONS

Downtown Music in the Park event

Hutchison St streetscape

165 S Guadalupe Street

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN