Preferred Vision Background

After years of hearing from the community about the need to create a Downtown, on November 5, 2019, the City Council unanimously approved the Downtown Dublin Preferred Vision and its three main principles:
  • siting of the town square, an approximately one-acre park envisioned to become Dublin’s social center
  • a new street grid network 
  • the Downtown character.
The Preferred Vision’s intent is to chart a path forward to improve the retail district of Downtown Dublin over the next 30-50 years including development of the town square location within the first five years. The focus of Phase One of the Preferred Vision sits on the location currently home to the Dublin Place shopping center, which includes anchor retailers Target, Hobby Lobby and Burlington Coat Factory.

Background on the Process

In early 2019, the City Council initiated a process to establish a vision and location for a new town square and main street experience located in the City's original central business district - commonly referred to in its planning documents as the Downtown Retail District of the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan.

During the year, the City Council met in numerous public work sessions with City staff and its consultant team to review the options for the town square, its location, as well as provide its input on the massing, density, and land uses to create a vibrant Downtown main street experience. As part of the process to create the Preferred Vision, the City Council sought community input and shared information with the public about the challenges, opportunities, and constraints that the City has working in a built environment. The City held two well-attended community meetings, hosted a survey, provided updates on the City’s website, and created an informational brochure.

Community Workshop #1

A community meeting was held on June 13, 2019. At the meeting, the City's consultant, Urban Field Studio and ELS Architecture, made a presentation on the three proposed design concepts of the town square location and then solicited feedback from community members during an open house session. For more information, download the meeting presentation.

Community Survey

In June & July 2019, the City also hosted a survey (in-person surveys at the Farmers' Market and online). The survey asked for feedback on the three proposed design concepts for the location of the town square. Overall, more than 245 people participated in the discussion about the town square with an overwhelming majority favoring "Concept A," the town square along an extended, future main street (Golden Gate Drive). Sixty-one percent (61%) of respondents were in favor of Concept A, (town square); the remaining two concepts received equal votes at 15% and 14% respectively.
Illustration of town square with photos of features: 1. Seating for groups 2. Water Fountain 3. Lawn
The community input received over the summer was shared with the City’s design team, who incorporated the feedback as they refined the concept of the Downtown Preferred Vision and how development could occur around the town square over time.

Drafting the Preferred Vision Document

In August, the City Council reviewed the first draft of the Preferred Vision, which included a new and extensive street grid network, including a main street experience, a new town square, and a mixture of supportive land uses such as retail, office, hotel and housing.

Community Workshop #2

A second Community Meeting was held on September 16, 2019. At the meeting, the City's consultant, Urban Field Studio and ELS Architecture, made a presentation on the preferred vision of the Downtown "main street" experience and how supporting development might occur around the town square in the years to come. Then, community members shared feedback during an open house session. For more information, download the meeting presentation.

The meeting was promoted at an information booth held at Splatter the weekend prior and the informational brochure about the Downtown Preferred Vision (download PDF) was made available to the public.


Adoption of the Preferred Vision

On November 5, 2019, the City Council unanimously approved the Downtown Dublin Preferred Vision. For more information, view the staff report.

For more information about the Preferred Vision for Downtown Dublin, please contact the Economic Development Division at 925-833-6650.