This past April, a presentation was made to the Carlsbad City Council regarding an exciting new opportunity to redevelop the Public Works Yard at 405 Oak Avenue into a community activity center with a special focus on arts, culture and entertainment. This project is intended to assist with the ongoing effort to revitalize the Village and to add venues for more arts, culture and entertainment activities. The goal is to plan for stages of development over time.
The Redevelopment Agency purchased the Oak Yard property (.85 acre) from the City of Carlsbad last year with the intent of creating a new center that will benefit Village businesses while adding a desirable community amenity. While The Yard will not be available for a new use for another two or three years, and only after the current staff resources are relocated, the Agency believes it is important to begin the planning process now.
Partnerships with local arts, culture, and entertainment and service organizations will be required to successfully implement any new plan for redevelopment. This work takes time. The planning and partnership development process will begin within the next few months. Redevelopment of the site will occur over the next five, 10 (or more) years.
Staff research to date has resulted in information gathered from 27 cities on successful art, culture and entertainment centers. The common themes were that these areas took advantage of under-used space opportunities, capitalized on the currently built environment, had restaurants, coffee houses and shopping in close proximity, spotlighted natural resources or other unique features of the area, and focused on public gathering places.
The goal is to have a diversity of uses and activities that attract a diverse population of users. Some of the ideas to date include relocation of the Farmer's Market, staging outdoor events such as craft, art, or car shows, musical events, rotating exhibits and other various types of displays (sidewalk art, skateboarding demonstrations, etc.).
In addition, temporary working artist space and flexible outdoor stage areas could accommodate dramatic productions, musical performances, or other special events or festivals (outdoor movies, holiday ice skating).
The next steps include developing partnerships and collaborations among cultural arts and similar groups. A partnership group will be formed to host community conversations which will focus on the 'how-to' element of this effort.
This is a very exciting project for the Village. We know that there is a lot of interest in helping develop the concept further and to partner with us on implementing the dream. If you have questions about the project or would like more information about the Village, call the City's Housing and Neighborhood Services Department at (760) 434-2815.
The Redevelopment Agency purchased the Oak Yard property (.85 acre) from the City of Carlsbad last year with the intent of creating a new center that will benefit Village businesses while adding a desirable community amenity. While The Yard will not be available for a new use for another two or three years, and only after the current staff resources are relocated, the Agency believes it is important to begin the planning process now.
Partnerships with local arts, culture, and entertainment and service organizations will be required to successfully implement any new plan for redevelopment. This work takes time. The planning and partnership development process will begin within the next few months. Redevelopment of the site will occur over the next five, 10 (or more) years.
Staff research to date has resulted in information gathered from 27 cities on successful art, culture and entertainment centers. The common themes were that these areas took advantage of under-used space opportunities, capitalized on the currently built environment, had restaurants, coffee houses and shopping in close proximity, spotlighted natural resources or other unique features of the area, and focused on public gathering places.
The goal is to have a diversity of uses and activities that attract a diverse population of users. Some of the ideas to date include relocation of the Farmer's Market, staging outdoor events such as craft, art, or car shows, musical events, rotating exhibits and other various types of displays (sidewalk art, skateboarding demonstrations, etc.).
In addition, temporary working artist space and flexible outdoor stage areas could accommodate dramatic productions, musical performances, or other special events or festivals (outdoor movies, holiday ice skating).
The next steps include developing partnerships and collaborations among cultural arts and similar groups. A partnership group will be formed to host community conversations which will focus on the 'how-to' element of this effort.
This is a very exciting project for the Village. We know that there is a lot of interest in helping develop the concept further and to partner with us on implementing the dream. If you have questions about the project or would like more information about the Village, call the City's Housing and Neighborhood Services Department at (760) 434-2815.