Appendix A Community Feedback
Part I: Written Feedback from Workshops 1 & 2 on 3/17/18 and 4/19/18 Part II: Open Novato survey results Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Art/Preservation Keep our future connected to our agricultural past Build new station using old building cargo Bring history museum downtown-across De Long to Simmons house Big historic photos inside an activated depot Put an old railroad at the depot Keep historical architecture of building Walk-through steam train or historic train/museum permanent installation Retain historic rail depot feel Keep the train station, put railroad or city artifacts in the depot Move rail artifacts next to station Respect legacy Restore historical character of old train Preserve it the way it is Keep it quaint-people like to visit beautiful eye candy places Keep historic depot architecture Reference Downtown Historic District (signage) Keep the depot Integrate existing buildings into any project Community use room and keep history of depot Restore existing train station as mini-museum for history of Railroad and Novato, convert existing historic houses to form historic area and expand "old town" Incorporate historic aspects to any new architecture and business->form displays Have a display of railroad influence on Novato in the depot Preserve the history of the depot and revamp original building Arts oriented community space Make depot the Novato Museum Modern space with nod to history Maintain historic feel of downtown Art benches downtown More art in Novato Build the depot building that burned down as originally built Incorporate Novato History with multiple tile boards on the platform Let the downtown keep pace with city's changing population Echo design from old depot throughout the new design Art Center Keep historic character of building Local arts/crafts Permanent/seasonal art of the past work, local wall for art as can provide a platform for young artists to showcase their talents while inspiring future local art turn historic depot into museum Architecture that blends with history Local artist rendering Use an oak tree as a common motif Novato themed color and design Mural celebrating the Chicano, native, Anglo, unity through time to create this livable space we call Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
home Historic Western heritage Put history museum in the old depot Downtown Art center Restore downtown theater as performing arts center Showcase local artists, include sculpture in landscape design, art displays in Depot building And have the historical guild put up a history of rail in Novato-Rebuild old freight depot and use open freight doc area as stage for events, dining outside or bring in old passenger car for eating. Historical influence will really be accomplished with restoration of old, historic depot. The Petaluma restoration of their depot was great, but there is nothing else nearby. This is a great opportunity for Novato. Passenger station should be a period piece compatible with historic downtown and compatible with existing and intact historic station
Food/Beverage Pizza Put a coffee shop in depot buildings rebuild the old freight depot and put a restaurant on the freight platform with some open air dining Beer Local, wine, beer, and food Baked goods/coffee local bakeries Open food truck access local food, farms, farm to table Food and drink center use Farmers Market Move Farmers Market European open dining and gathering areas Food and place to meet and talk Food purveyors Ice Cream Shop Beer garden and live music Snack/Coffee bar for depot riders Food trucks Food, wine, outdoor dining Farmers Market Better modern restaurants More unique restaurants Place for food trucks Be open to new businesses and rest Promenade with outdoor seating behind and eating Spanish food Local wine, beer, food Outdoor dining Food court Local dining bars Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Beer gardens Bring Fairfax microbrewer downtown Dining and Drinking Local food/produce Farmers market next to train Indian Valley Brewing Café shop near parks Train stop with food, drinks meeting place Vietnamese Restaurant More good food options Railcar restaurant Railcar destination, turn depot into a bar restaurant Ice Cream Store Rotating food suppliers with picnic table seating and lights fenced in Food trucks or kitchens, local breweries, artisan food makers, microbusinesses Outdoor dining/entertainment HUB Craft beer on tap (local brewers), food trucks Restaurants/cafes Rebuild the old freight building that burnt down-bring in a coffee shop/ice cream, etc. Bring in old Rail cars for a restaurant. As people are dining or at the bar then can push a button to see the countryside passing them as they sit and dine/drink in the rail car booth. The digital age allows us to go anywhere while dining in Novato. European style café/coffee, brandy, wine and beer Farmers Market Food trucks Food/drinks/coffee Coffee shop or restaurant Rotating food trucks, never perceived favoritism on the handful of food trucks that can fit in the space. Hopefully attract better lunch crowd. Farmers market Food truck with many different options and businesses that attract people downtown Microbrewery with live music Food trucks/coffee/drinks/eats/place to meet up with friends. Look forward to come in from Hamilton similar to Ferry Building SF. What type of businesses attract people to come downtown
Landscape Railroad theme Bring people to our dairies and open space Child Gathering and play area Restore the architecture, but make it progressive to bring people to Novato to experience our town Maintain/Restore depot as downtown gateway Playground Mini SF ferry/building adjustment park space Retain small town character and historic structures Make Novato a destination Rebuild the other depot buildings that burned down Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Encourage walking and train Open area beauty and fountain and open space/gathering all, including families Make the train depot an annex to the history museum Parking Multi-story parking next to station More outdoor dining and gathering areas Redo the fountain Roundabout on Redwood and Grant Fire pits Outdoor Lighting Need pocket parking near Grant More chess tables Plant shade trees Solar shade structures Flexible space More gathering places downtown Trees, Plants, Sculptures, Benches Keep open space around the depot Harmonious design with Spanish tile roof, arched windows/doorways, color-light tan Parking Keep small town character Parking Unify building facades Infill affordable housing near transit hubs Fire pits Trees Make it a park or gathering place A fun gathering space Solar shade gathering Benches for people to meet and talk Beautiful shade trees in parking areas A wonderful, vibrant entrance to our lovely historic town Multi-cultural fountain on Redwood More flowers/murals Downtown garden, like they have at the fair, but more permanent, made by Master gardeners or high school gardening club could design/maintain Horse and ranch themes Bronze horses and a pond Block street access from Grant walkway, playground, park setting Beyond green building design Angled parking on depot but keep trees More trees Pedestrian mall, street Pedestrian mall, close Grant to cars from Machin to depot site Historic railcar, civic pond with galloping horses and fountains Pedestrian Mall Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Preserve view to Mt. Burdell Cover parking lot with solar and on building Park here to walk to diners and theaters Parking Spanish tile roofs Lot of trees Less parking Localized water reuse Solar panel cover Outdoor setting Maintain tree Commuter parking lots Picnic tables Nice beautiful area Parking on railroad at end by the freeway with a foot bridge over the train tracks. Avoid parking in front of businesses to attract more foot traffic and outdoor spaces along the street. This space next to SMART train could be best used landscaped and parking structure preferably below and landscaping on top. I am happy that smart train is here. As people get off the train you want them to move towards Grant Ave to enjoy the street/shops/restaurant/treats Fence (wood/privacy) *Length of path (follow path/property line)
Recreation Make teen center into video game center Video game center Climbing wall More teen activities (laser tag??) Get entertainment Kids water play feature on closed streets Hay rides Flea market gathering Candlepin bowling Stuff for families with children to do something Water feature that kids of all ages can play with Turn depot into a movie theater Community playground Fair with rides Laser Tag Video Game Center Unique shows Meeting place where kids can play Take train up to wine county for a wine tour for the day Water park We need a park Fair everyday at school Biking, hiking, scenery
Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Feedback about Downtown Restore community house Encourage mixed use buildings downtown Convert 1 block to open air promenade Keep downtown 2 stories Stimulate Nightlife (lots of thumbs up for this one) Keep downtown 2 stories Indoor all year farmers market in feed mill at Redwood Finish theatre Theater is key to bring people to Novato Renovated theater Expand retail and downtown North along Redwood Blvd Sufficient parking to support activities San Marin Hamilton Evenings events in Downtown Novato Billboards for Novato to tell people to go to Novato's downtown Visitors Center Water feature for kids to play in! (Flat with water squirting up) A place to sit and relax Battlebots for kids Cheaper Lego sets
Multi-generational Considerations Place where both kids and adults can hang out together Place for kids to play and mingle while the adults mingle-family and fun Keep the depot, make it a wonderful space, kid fun Family friendly Family entertainment Entertainment: Bowling, Pool/Billiards, Shopping, Theatre Multiuse activities for kids Kids and adults mingling in one place Multigenerational things to do, younger people don't have things to do here Families Kid friendly science workshop Multi-generational Things for teens Kid's playground Kids play area Something enjoyable for all ages
Multi-modal Transportation Make bikes at depot or possible to rent and easily bike to and from depot Bike pedals-wide and safe Connected bikeways Electric bikes Bicycle access and bike parking Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Rental bikes with bicycle tour maps for visitors Bike Rental lots with bike tour maps and bike sharing too Shuttle buses Less dependable on cars, transit-oriented and walkable Rental bikes to be picked up at either Novato station Bike racks and bikes Provide transportation , buggies, trollies, cable cars, etc. Shuttle to theater and shopping venues Continue bike trail path connection from south end of Hamilton bay trail to San Rafael Shuttle/trolley to bus depot downtown No cars, pedestrian/bikes only Commute Parking
Safety Lots of seating for seniors and disabled Make it wheelchair accessible Nice lighting as pass by on train Police foot patrol/meet people Safe place for kids Wide sidewalks Closed streets safe for kids Blinking cross walks make it safe, police patrols on foot Safe place for children to play Ped Crossing Safety first. On the adjacent sidewalks and streets need better control
Retail Put a book store in depot buildings Small local businesses Clothes for younger folk, house goods Focus on local retailers More grocery stores and farmers markets Men's casual clothing shop Maker spaces Celebrate local markets and artists Downtown pedestrian mall Local retailers Retail to attract folks downtown Popup shop at station and buildings Local entrepreneurs Move Farmer's Market to depot site Retail/Craft local Advertise downtown business/Walking map City's storyboards on fence-all great ideas-need significant stores. Include smart station so seniors can buy their cards/tickets Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Music Music garden Live Music Small areas for musicians Music with outdoor dining Use depot as a stage Places for kids to perform Theater is key to bring people to Novato Live music Cultural Center for music/speakers and plays Night life with live music Community concerts Live music Space for bands to play Music Venue Live music Live music light fare, live music Music until 10 pm Stage for live music Millworks residents want music, just not past 10 o'clock. Young folks/millennials to come enjoy music that is family friendly
Other Focus on creating a fresh welcoming space, don't be constrained by nostalgia Let go of the past and move forward Make it a wonderful space, kid fun Make people think, "When I come to Novato, what can I do?" Enjoy and hang out together "Modern" nod to history, but mostly a place to hang out in Refillable water station Cell reception Good Wi-Fi and cell reception Beautification of building Small open use space for musicians The Novato Zip line A way to keep people in Novato A beautiful place for people to be proud of Places for kids to perform Free internet access Garbage cans Maker spaces Parades Wi-Fi More marching bands in 4th of July parade Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
Capsule hotel might work A place to meet your neighbors and friends Depot that is environmentally sustainable and with outdoor open space Restore the community as a meeting space for community groups Let's make Novato a destination Broadband internet Invest more in affordable housing and live local, work local Increase opportunities for startup tech firms to be based in Novato Furniture to lounge and chill A reason for people to get off the train at Novato Multiuse facility Movie night Spanish translated materials and signage Open past 9 Stay open later welcoming, inclusive, diverse expand holiday celebration; add xmas carolers Paint the depot A weather vane-coordinating with theme of City Hall San Marin Hamilton night out Off the grid, self-sustainable water and energy Roundabout Scott Ct. Show folks on train that Novato is a vibrant, welcoming place Do one thing really well, an anchor element for the downtown to leverage Refurbish community house for Novato players theater Hometown feel Face of Novato Need to change mindset of Novato "status quo" Wifi Bathrooms at depot site Trash cans with segregated waste Troughs with edibles along streets San Marin/Hamilton/Family/Couples/Friends Night out Using play structure creates energy, lights for the site, "Kidnetic energy" Chamber of Commerce Lease depot to Chamber of Commerce Sell tickets as a depot for SMART, GGT & MT Get NWPRRHS old semaphore and install here or at rebuilt freight depot for character flavor The horses have nothing to do with the area. Look stupid and expensive. Public Bathrooms The view at this end should be enjoyed with a glass of wine/coffee Commercial shared kitchen Kitchen area Space for Novato This is an amazing opportunity to snowball the improvement of downtown, Love that site is right next to train tracks. Unlike Downtown Petaluma and Santa Rosa, nobody would have to walk far to find Community Feedback Received at Depot Workshops March 17 and April 19, 2018
local food, wine, beer, culture, entertainment. This area could be a big draw for (blank) and those traveling in on bike, SMART train, etc. Easy access, friendly spot to enjoy live music, rotating food trucks, etc. Just needs to be sophisticated and inviting and this area will be GREAT!! :) Reopen the depot to serve as a café or extension of the Novato History Museum. Shade structure. Bocce ball courts. Parking is important. Make it a public square with parking, trees for shade, café, chess tables, a bocce court, flower boxes and bicycle parking area a la Mill Valley. Free stop for Novato depot only. Town clock. Exhibit space of MMOCA
Make it Like… Use Mill Valley depot on model Terrapin and Cornerstone Victoria Station San Pedro Square in San Jose First Fridays Terrapin The Barlow The SF Ferry Building Cornerstone Sonoma Denver Train Station Farmers market at Civic center The Block in Petaluma Gathering place for community A place to connect and create community Day-care Community groups need places to meet and hold events Map for those who don't know Novato can know where to go Make kids happy San Pedro Square in San Jose Mini soccer field like in San Rafael and AT&T Park Depot café like Mill Valley food, coffee, books Merry-Go-Round like the one at Davis Farmers Market Make it like a piazza, a place to eat, mingle, dance, play Like Mill Valley Depot Something like Brewsters in Petaluma. Enjoyable for all ages Like music, drinks, games, fun. Similar to Brewsters
Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site
Summary Of Responses
As of July 25, 2018 this forum had: Attendees: 218 Registered Responses: 60 Unregistered Responses: 51 Hours of Public Comment: 5.6
Topic Start: April 11, 2018, 3:58 PM Topic End: July 5, 2018, 10:04 AM
Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Install indoor outdoor garden railroad similar to what was done in Santa Rosa at the Children's museum. That sponsor was the Redwood Empire Garden Railroad Society (http://regrs.org/w/index.php?title=Main_Page)
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Under "other" I suggested live music - which did not appear in your first priority list, but then did show in your second list... confusing.
Visitor Center in the Depot.
There's plenty of parking in surrounding area. Some bike stands might be good. This should be a gateway to "old town" Novato for tourists and locals. Any type of store, food, etc would interfere with our own often struggling vendors. This should be a green space (without a fountain since water will always be a premium) with info and arts for people to sit, learn and be led to the rest of the neighborhood. community vegetable gardening keep costs down and plan for 5 years of tabulating number of people accessing the train with a farmer's market availability on site.
See my comments above. I think this survey is very biased towards making the train station a food oriented facility. You ask about restaurant, beer and wine, coffee, food vendor, food trucks, cooking etc. It should be none of these. Get the visitors down Grant to patronize our existing and future businesses. Get Grant Avenue active...don't concentrate the people at the station and never get them downtown.
Just filling in the Survey, I think you have covered options beautifully
I would like to see it at least partly developed along the same lines as Rockridge in the East Bay. Primarily an artisan food court, especially open to local vendors, where you can get breads, meats, vegetables, bakery goods and so on. An alternative on a MUCH smaller scale than Whole Foods/Amazon Grocery. Parking should be considered at the vacant lot next to the Trader Joe's shopping center with a walkway to the station.
Multi-use spaces with soft surfaces that invite people to picnic, play, gather. No cars and no parking.
I dont know n/a
Civic pond area with fountains, walkway/ bike path around it. Colored water spires throughout.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Kiosk with downtown directory, featured businesses, Novato Proud features, bike share program, info about connecting transportation options/apps... Make it easy, efficient, and fun for folks to travel by train.
I ranked it last as I don’t currently have an additional idea
Mixed-use with affordable homes
An on site indoor/outdoor restaurant could still incorporate historic displays and an arts and cultural vibe.
This is on the edge of downtown. A commuter station...maybe. The small area is not conducive for retail, successful restaurant space. No need for another green like on Sherman. Food trucks won't work, as there is no office & business employees to merit this. We already have 2 coffee establishments: WholeFoods & Dr. Insomiacs. Too small for a microbrewery.
Parklet - we need more green space downtown, bike and pedestrian friendly
If the site is has sufficient space using it to remodel the historic building, include free parking for downtown and the SMART train and a retail use would be more than enough.
This is a TRANSIT center, not an art gallery or restaurant or culture center. If you must spend this much money on this then at least maintain its function. Provide shuttles, or rentals or taxis or SOMETHING RELATED TO GOING FROM HERE TO THERE AND BACK AGAIN.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Computer modeling and graphics to explain options to all.
So far, so good.
I’d love to attend one of the workshops but they have been at times I can’t make. Also, have you considered using the Design Thinking model for a workshop to create suggestions?
Directed emails. I would like to have attended the first workshop!
Post info on Nextdoor and/or Novato-in-the-Know, to spread the word through social media.
No
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Financing the project needs to be transparent for each of the survey's statements along with consideration for the Whole Foods Market and to have a shuttle for taking train passengers to the rest of Grant.
Keep the city website updated at least weekly, even if to say no changes in current status...
Don't be biased towards food service.
No
Posting on social media sites may make information more readily accessible to a large rectangular part of the population
Maybe posters around town to promote the downtown hub area...
Should be all over novato, tables with info, Facebook groups. Give community service hours to students to help sprees the word
Mailings to surrounding neighborhoods.
I found the survey online, but you should publicize in the IJ or Patch too.
Flyers on school bulletin boards? Somehow advertise at banks, grocery stores, places where people go all the time - Starbucks.
This survey is a great start! Online options are helpful for getting younger people involved.
Emails to residents both of the town and the surrounding county (i.e. unincorporated Marin such as Black Point/Green Point.
Yes. Stop pouring money into the SMART station without polling your constituents and without any ridership data from SMART. Councilmembers should recuse themselves from votes on downtown where they have a personal financial conflict of interest (ie recently purchased income property in the downtown area)
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
The options above are all great but the 3rd SMART station is millions wasted. Now with budget overrun there isnt even the $ to finish it so this poll for additions seems useless.
Poor leadership to have not insisted that one of the 2 SMART funded novato stations be downtown, then compounded the error by pouring city funds into the 3rd station that will not even get regular stops.
While email / social outreach is good, signage near some of the main traffic areas (coming off 101, Delong exit) highlighting the upcoming meetings / events or some kind of proper signage in the public square would be good. Also, consider engaging more in already active groups on the likes of FB and NextDoor
I think I will be informed going forward, now that you have my email address.
No. I like the public workshops and online feedback options.
Email mailing list!
I think you are doing a great job!
No - was unable to go to the workshop due to out of town for work but been hearing about information through friends that are involved with the city.
No n/a
Tell more people about Bill Kelly's ideas since they seem to be missing from this survey.
No you are doing a great job
The City of Novato does an excellent job of informing and engaging the public. I have no additional suggestions.
This survey is good - I feel more involved now
Provide materials translated into Spanish and Vietnamese, outreach to families with children
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
no
You would not let me proceed unless I picked 3 of the "uses" identified in meeting #1, many of which were really were not of my choosing. Let opinions proceed without these limitations.
Has there been an approval to have the train stop in Novato? Before we spend any money, can we make sure we know about that progress? Then, what does the City want to do there? What is sustainable in terms of having space enough to park there? What about accessibility?
Have you posted this survey on Social Media e.g. Novato In The Know or Next Door Novato?
Consider putting it under hot topics and creating a link to the page on the 3rd SMART train platform.
Discontinue this stupid project. It is a waste of taxpayer money.
Parklets, sidewalk cafes, Dr Insomnia’s is a great model or example. The depot’s parking area should be generously planted with large shade trees, e.g. sycamores, oaks or London Planetrees. The depot should have solar-power shade structures on its roof and over its waiting areas and platform.
Music venue, theater
Finish the Novato theater
Outdoor eating.
I’d like downtown to be a gathering place, a place we could take friends and that people from other towns would come visit. Petaluma did an amazing job of turning around their downtown. That’s where we end up going for date nights. We’d love to have a green space/park to hang with our kids. Grab ice cream or eat dinner as a family.
I don't. This survey is trying to guide me into certain answers.
Meeting space for non profits
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Outdoor dining/sitting-gathering areas. Rooftop (?)or back patio dining might be fine where possible.
The SMART station will bring tourists to Navato's historic downtown. Historic displays are appropriate with a map of the historic structures in the downtown area. Also a way finding sign to restaurants, bike stores and event spaces. Facilities for cyclists such as bike parking, bike lockers should be considered.
Open air, with an outdoor stage for performers more of the green that we have around city hall with more outdoor art and culture on display.
Turn Sherman into a gathering space and renovate the Community House.
I believe it is important to complete the Novato theatre, and then the greenspace around the city hall is adequate for a downtown community gathering space. Focus from there should be on enhancing flow between bus transit and smart train as well as intermodal bike transit through town plus improving convenient parking access.
I didn't know we needed more of them.
Not at the train station. Somewhere else downtown to lead people there. It's why the milk is at the back of the grocery store. You've got to walk past everything else to get it.
Would love to see Grant street turn into a mutli-use promenade with places to hang out, eat, listen to live music, play area for kids, etc.
Besides the mentioned items, I’d love to see more spaces for preteens and teens to hang out, like a skate park, a climbing wall, a par course with a snack bar /coffee bar. Outdoor tables in a landscaped street scape, a place for all ages to just watch the world go by. Maybe a simple water feature that the young or the young at heart could play in.
Music/live performance space
Novato needs some kind of shot in the arm to become a more interesting town. I love my home, but the town feels dead.
Love what Mill Valley has done with their depot!
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
I spend time there with coffee and reading.
We used to live downton Redwood City-- their downtown is top notch. Community was highly involved in the community gatherings and free music and holiday events they had downtown. Families got so involved. Cover band s would play on Saturday nights and you weren't allowed to bring alcohol and food and have a picnic in the street. Never got out of hand and was so much fun for the whole family.
The downtown theater would be a great space...
Music venue would be good, where you could sit, listen eat and be a safe area for kids.
Theatre! Beer Gardens. More community events that close the streets down to car traffic so more pedestrian friendly.
This historic station should highlight Marin's ranching, dairy and farm history. Use as backdrop for live acoustic music in an outdoor plaza, a counter-type coffee house, plus indoor exhibits. Offer free space for outdoor pop-up events - think mariachi bands, local tastings (olive oil, fruits, cheeses, farm trail days), train buffs, etc. A historic trolley car to go up and down Grant so SMART train visitors can see it. LA has more space, but some good examples. https://www.tripsavvy.com/train-museums-in-los-angeles-1586774
More outdoor dining.
Open mic night music venue. Partner with MSA to get students to perform.
Places to sit, have music, and food indoors and outdoors. Ok if coffee, but don’t want to hurt the existing biz. Ok if beer garden, but that’s not ok for younger folks. Ok for pop up food. But creative.
More music venues and outdoor eating
Covered outdoor community gathering spaces.
Picnic-style, outdoor seating areas and various alcohol + food vendors (could be food trucks or pop-up restaurants) so people can grab food and drinks wherever and then dine and hang out communally, like Off the Grid in SF or the newly-remodeled food court in Emeryville.
More areas that will make the downtown less dreary. More restaurants and more outdoor eating venues
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Casual places to eat and sit and see your fellow Novatians. a small town feel.
Gathering spaces, class spaces, exercise areas (gym, par courses etc), music rooms, theater spaces etc. look at mill valley community center as a model.
Open areas, small spaces for bands to set up and play, small fields, bocce courts and play structures. Look at the area behind Terrapin Crossing for reference. They did it right.
Multi-use. Don't specify restaurants or music venues or art stores. Make it possible for people to gather in pairs, families, small groups or largish groups for any number of purposes: picnics, playing, some live music, maybe some food trucks. Keep the surfaces green and permeable. Prioritize people and greenery over cars and parking.
Spaces to eat, hold public meetings/gatherings.
Ones that will attract young people like myself.
A place where kids can safely run around, with bike parking, adults can have a drink or food truck food at picnic tables, and the environment is vibrant with sculptures or installations by local artists: a true community meeting space. The vibe should be like Brewsters in Petaluma.
A beer garden! (something like brewsters in petaluma would thrive in novato)
Fun and lively! Outdoors, with food and drinks.
I would love more restaurants, beer gardens and music venues.
We need gathering plaza - Park with Gazebo - Play structures for kids - A place for art and music venues
Better use of open spaces. Social gathering spaces, restaurant & bar space. Finnegan's use of downtown was perfect.
Outdoor places to meet and enjoy a drink or bite to eat
A more dynamic downtown area with more outdoor dining options, wine/drinks venues, nice artisan shops and a place for people to meet family and friends. To have a more vibrant downtown.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Restaurants
A place that is for everyone- from the youngest members of our community to the oldest, but still maintaining Novato's historic charm.
The depot area is much more then a gathering place for Novato. It should make a bold statement to the bay area that this is "a one of a kind" place. The goal should be to attract people from all over the bay area. If they come the downtown area will begin to thrive. More young Novato residents will see this and want to stay and open businesses. If people come from all over to see it don't you think the people of Novato will come down to?
Would be nice to have a more formalized space for farmer's market.
It would be great to have a space that is similar to Brewsters in Petaluma where there is a kid-friendly beer garden with live music. This would be a great opportunity for adults to be able to enjoy each other and have their whole family with them.
Outdoor eating parklets
Look at San Pedro Square in San Jose. That's what we need.
We already have the "green" at City Hall. Because the downtown (oldtown area)is not surrounded by homes, we don't need more gathering spaces. Only restaurants--a great gathering space!
MORE PARKING. DOWN WITH THE TREES. Some trees are nice, but its so hard to park...and get rid of the 2 hour parking, we now don't go there to eat and shop any longer because we don't want to bother to have to move our car. So, a friendly place with parking, that has different types of offerings, a few really good restaurants, some unique shopping opportunities, a little coffee, a place for the kids to play, a theater that has seats in it (okay, had to be said). A PARK, pop up areas/shops, food truck availability, and a second MARVINS. Things to do. I don't want to sit around and just drink coffee, we need a reason to be there, to fight to be there, to look forward to an experience.
Look at original plans to turn Sherman into a community gathering space. Allow private business to purchase condemned city buildings and create more retail and restaurants.
Doesn't matter, just don't put it on this train center.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
More shade trees. Grant Avenue sycamores are a great example. They make the street look cool. Also, an unbundled parking system in the central district, fully automated by AI, to incentivize regular commuters and visitors to use the train and public transit rather than cars.
More restaurants and bars, outdoor seating, sidewalk vendors, live music options
Nice restaurants and more parking. Limit the kind of business in old Town. A Floor store and a countertop store don’t belong.
Artisanal style shops: food: cheese, wine bar, home crafts. Restaurant: French Bistro, wine bar/shop, music venue along the lines of Mill Valley’s Sweetwater.
We should look at Petaluma as a model. To keep people downtown there needs to be food, entertainment (music venue, movie theater, park to hangout) and PARKING!
I would like downtown Novato not to be overdeveloped.
Evening entertainment, places with music, or poetry readings... authors' speak. It will be nice when the Novato Theater is FINALLY completed!
Although I do not live in Novato, I am Director of a tourism related nonprofit whose purview extends to the entire North Bay including Novato. The SMART pathway will be an important feature that should be exploited by providing bike trails to commercial areas and especially bicycle-friendly lodging. Bike trails will prevent the usual conflict between cars and bikes.
Community gatherings with music and guest speakers
I'd like to keep the buildings/flavor of old town and have it spread west to the rest of Grant Street. Keep our old town look and our booming art/culture. Do NOT destroy the old town by letting people redo the old buildings as they have done in Healdsburg. No empty stores/restaurants. If there are empty windows put in an art display. Let's work with the Marin School of the Arts and MOCA to make Novato and on-going art exhibit and destination. More walking sitting space. Let restaurants put outdoor areas behind them, not on the street.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
PARKING - please do not remove any more much needed parking spots.
Restaurants particularly Higher end.
Shade and benches. A computer educational place such as an Apple store
More diversity in businesses, but this will not happen without improving business conditions for existing businesses. I think getting Pini converted into a combined commercial/residential space with an overall improved parking for all downtown, plus converting the vacant old station into a rehabilitated, thriving business will go a long way toward improving the overall downtown business climate. I think the proposed hotel projects on Redwood plus Hanna Ranch will also enhance downtown conditions. perhaps giving thought to a shuttle between Vintage Oaks and Downtown that also circulates among the other strip malls might encourage more business in town as well. Allow the Trader Joe's center to expand to the adjacent properties and include them in shuttle route as well.
Parking!!!!!
Activety. More living units.
More live music, restaurants, places to hang out and enjoy the weather, have more music in the park type events.
Restaurants with outdoor dining. Live music and community theater
Music venues, theater, quality restaurants.
Nightlife, culture (lectures, presentations, music, arts)
Gathering places.
Good food. Family friendly places (entertainment). There doesn't seem to be much to keep teens occupied.
Free downtown music events...
More actives for the middle & High school kids. Open stage night, place to hang at night with games and such. Late night restaurants instead of buying at stores. Late night coffee house with outside sitting
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Businesses open later!
Novato has more upscale housing and residents now. Arts and culture have been consistently requested but apart from the theater project there's not much new.
Bike lanes.
Parking
More people and activity! Would love to see the theater completed and see more entertainment and dining destinations. Would like to see more retail shops, but realize that with the changing face of retail, that may not happen.
Local non-professional talent. Also, local professional celebrities (e.g. Peter Coyote, Isabelle Allende, Huey Lewis) to come out for free or inexpensive evening events like readings, open mic music, one-person improv/story-telling. Get residents out into the community more.
No parking meters ever! Love the trees and night lighting. Benches to sit.
More music venues and outdoor eating
Food & alcohol venues.
Bars and restaurants!
An outdoor beer garden would be ideal, and depending on space I think many of the above ideas could easily be combined with that. There could be a small kid's play area, pop-up dining and/or food trucks, and possibly a small space for live music -- something similar to Brewster's beer garden in Petaluma, which is an awesome outdoor space and family-friendly.
For food I would specifically love to see some cuisines we don't already have in Novato, such as Vietnamese, Burmese or ramen.
Anything with more energy, than the dreariness of the current downtown
Small independent stores of all kinds. NOTHING that is a chain or "big box" type of store.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
I would prefer not to have music or alcohol at the space, since I live just across the street, and would not enjoy listening to loud noise and deal with drunk people nearby.
Specialty retail, rather than clothing. Entertainment.
A little more parking and a loosening of the time restrictions for parking. Make it a more walkable area so that people are encouraged to stay. Also work with landlords to create reasonable storefronts. Once you cross redwood, there are a LOT of empty areas going to waste.
An area that doesn’t shut down at 5pm save for a handful of places. Not saying we have to make it like downtown San Rafael, but there’s an opportunity to inject some Vibrance into downtown and with things like Finnegan’s outside patio (that should be public, not limited to one store taking over a space) can make downtown a destination on a beautiful summer day - or night.
Less emphasis on cars and parking. Downtown, especially the area right around the Depot, is small, and could be jewel-like. Prioritize good design of small welcoming spaces, and then use the North Redwood area, especially around Trader Joe's and the Feed Mill, to accommodate parking and venues that require more square footage. People WILL park and walk between North Redwood, Grant Avenue, the Depot, Town Hall; it is not necessary to create more parking downtown in order to draw people there. Think of some of the model cities folks have pointed to - Petaluma, Barcelona - in which there is little to no parking at the attractions, but it does exist within a mile's distance.
I think that opening the Novato Theater is critical! The theater will create a reason to come to downtown other than eating, drinking, and buying books. I would like to see the business community and public agencies get behind the Novato Theater project to assist with ensuring its completion.
People! Restaurants and bars with outdoor dining options Art and music (murals, live bands) Events
Locations that stay open past 6PM
Better food
Places that are good for groups! I work in Novato, and we need more places coworkers/ friends can come together to enjoy the outdoors and sip a drink, grab a bite to eat.
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
I work in Novato and would love more places to hang out in Novato after work with friends or fun places to meet up with business clients.
Cohesive, attractive design. A sense that the whole of the downtown is connected (ie Grant on BOTH sides of Redwood). Appropriate levels of parking for all use (SMART station, shops & local businesses combined). A hub of activity. See Downtown Petaluma as an example.
Family Dining, boutique cafes, Craft Beer pubs, Theater up and running, Music venues, Less nail and hair salons. Upgraded look on the buildings. Landscaping structures or hanging pots. Gift shops
Outdoor eating & drinking spaces.
More places that inspire nightlife to re invigorate the area.
More restaurant and family friendly open air eating options that make a good focal point for the community to meet and enjoy an afternoon or evening together.
Arts & Culture more relevant businesses, less dry cleaning, haircuts and out of style women's clothing.
Places for families to go out, where younger generations and older generations can also enjoy. Something that is for everyone, not just another bar or specialty place.
Places for the younger generation. The city of Novato tends to forget about them way to often. If the depot area needs to stay away from alcohol type businesses and go with family stuff that will also attract the younger generation.
Evening destinations, live entertainment
Make Grant a pedestrian mall from Reichert to Machin
Second and third story buildings with office space and/or residential on the second floor and residential on the third.
Beergarden
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
Thrift type stores/ consignment shops
Outdoor/indoor gathering places with beer gardens, live music and a kid friendly atmosphere. quality restaurants, night life
Outdoor eating, beer gardens, etc small businesses and homes in all the empty buildings
More upscale restaurants. Window boxes or other landscaping projects for businesses. Encourage a walking culture.
Good restaurants. Restaurants bring people downtown. In as much as the retail businesses do not thrive here, the younger (not Millennials) 40ish group will spend on "food" & services, ie:wine tasting, maybe microbrewery & beer garden. (Like Seattle). It's all about experiencing the fun. But we are limited to space for such a place in the downtown. Maybe if the old Golden Omelet place was re-configured. Please no more green spaces...they do not add to the downtown.
PARKING...see above. A real home run of a restaurant, with ample parking and a great dessert place near by...and watch it pop! We do have one of the only book stores left in the State. But, you can't park there most of the time. And, I like the events, the Rock Block and Art and Wine festivals, but parking is so bad, you end up just driving by. If you want it to come together with a bunch of people we need a way to get people there, and a place to park. I hate the idea of a big parking structure, but we need something. That space where Pini was, usually is blocked off, figure that out. And, don't ever put housing there, if you do, it will ruin the downtown entirely. There will only be so many cars parked in that area all of the time, it will deter anyone from even driving down that street. THAT is the wrong thing for our town. Clearly, with the addition of the little wineries you are trying to make it fun, but it lacks the character of the past, it is just so congested. Maybe for events, a shuttle that picks up at various locations; such as the larger grocery lots from one end of Novato to the other? Park at Harvest and jump on the shuttle, etc. Just a thought. It doesn't have to be free. Maybe one of the Golden Gate busses (the small ones) could have stops up and down Grant? How about a gallery, but for locals to display their art or children's art or both? And how about bringing in something to do. So, there are candle making stores and glass blowing stores that allow the peeps to come in and learn while having fun making their own things. You would go there, then go have lunch and then go grab an ice cream or some candy...oh...but then you would have had to move your car, and there would be no place to park...so you would just go home...instead of then going to a movie and then dinner or wine tasting or both and what wonderful day that would be! green space!! safe, dedicated bike lanes
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Community Visioning for Historic Train Depot & Site What is your vision for the Historic Train Depot & Site located at Railroad and Grant Avenues?
more specialty retail shops less hair, nail salons
Music & entertainment. City sponsored events.
Restaurants that stay open later. Music venues, arts and cultural events.
Allow uses similar to West Petaluma - Find a permanent location for the feed store somewhere in the area between Old Town and North Redwood. Add uses similar to Petaluma like tattoo parlors, skate shops, galleries, consignment stores, spice shops, tea parlors, home goods, cannabis retail dispensaries, and venues like the Mystic, would provide an eclectic mix of businesses that would create uses for residents including a much wider range of ages and interests.
Signs that point in the direction of the best way out of town.
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