Planning Context of the Street and Dead Cat Alley
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22 PPllaannnniinngg CCoonntteexxtt n order to prepare an effective plan for Wyckoff built a small wooden store near the Downtown area, it is vital to what is now the southeast corner of First Iunderstand the planning context of the Street and Dead Cat Alley. Wycoff built a area. The following sections provide an second store located at the corner of Sixth overview of the Downtown organized and Court Streets. Wyckoff named his under the following headings: general store "Yolo City." It became a stopping point for travelers riding through § History the small village on the trail heading north along the west side of the valley or on the § Economic development trail heading east to Sacramento. Yolo § Housing City also served pioneer farmers who began settling in Yolo County. § Circulation § Infrastructure § Environmental resources § Policy framework Information on existing land use within the Downtown area is provided in Chapter 3, “Land Use and Development.” 2.1 HISTORY Freeman House The City of Woodland has a strong historic Franklin S. Freeman, the founder of the heritage, which is reflected in an City of Woodland, first settled in Yolo impressive stock of historic buildings in its County, north of Cache Creek, in 1850. Downtown area and surrounding In 1857, Freeman purchased the two neighborhoods. Woodland area stores owned by Henry Wyckoff. He built agricultural is largely responsible for the a simple wooden house just north of the community's distinct identity and still plays store (still standing) and also acquired 160 and important economic role in acres of land which he envisioned Woodland. becoming a prosperous town. Freeman established the post office in 1861, Settlement in the Woodland area began in located at 539 Main Street, filed the town 1849 when the Morris family settled on plat in 1863, and was instrumental in the south side of Cache Creek just north of getting the county seat moved to present day Woodland. Woodland began Woodland. His wife Gertrude renamed as a community in 1853 when Henry the town “Woodland,” recognizing the majestic Valley Oak trees. In 1862 March 18, 2003 Page 2-1 2. Planning Context Woodland became the County seat of wealthy local investors. During the first government for Yolo County (Walters, two decades of the twentieth century, 1995). several top architects from the Bay Area were commissioned to design new banks, The completion of the railroad in 1869 schools, and public facilities. brought the world closer to Woodland and the town began to prosper as a trading The new century ushered in a new year of center for a rich agricultural region. optimism for Woodland. The town's Farmers and ranchers derived much business community organized a chamber wealth from the land and Woodland's of commerce in 1900 to promote the commercial sector prospered. town's advantages. The community also invested in community projects, including Skilled carpenters and brick masons the City’s library, City Park, and cemetery. settled in Woodland and built many of the early Victorian commercial buildings, In 1910, Woodland was the largest city in churches, and public schools. By the Yolo County, with a population of 3,187. 1880s several self-trained architects and For the next forty years, Woodland builders had established planing mills in remained a remarkably stable community, Woodland and began designing and growing slowly but steadily in population, constructing outstanding examples of businesses, and industries. Its industrial Victorian residential and commercial plants were principally agricultural, and buildings. This appreciation for local three rice mills, a sugar beet refinery, and architecture and craftsmanship became a a tomato cannery were built during this tradition in Woodland. Early landmark period. buildings included Hesperian College, the Byrns Hotel, the Opera House, the first In the late 1950s, the City Council created Courthouse and Hall of Records, the a Redevelopment Agency to oversee YMCA Building, the first City Hall, the development of historic downtown Jackson Apartment Building, the Farmers Woodland. Although the Redevelopment and Merchants Bank, and the Julian Hotel. Plan was never adopted, the agency Although all but two of these early continued to exist in name. In the 1960s, landmarks are gone, their picturesque several prominent buildings were designs inspired many others that demolished, including the Romanesque followed. Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Julian Hotel. Fortunately, other significant buildings, like the Woodland Opera House, were spared from demolition. By the mid-1970s, the historical preservation movement had taken hold in Woodland. The Federal government's strategy for urban revitalization had now shifted from demolishing the old to providing financial incentives for preserving and renovating historic Opera House buildings. Thus, the Yolo County Historical Society succeeded in purchasing Between 1890 and 1905, several new the Opera House and planning for its banks were established in Woodland by eventual restoration. Page 2-2 March 18, 2003 2. Planning Context During the 1980s, Downtown Woodland 2.2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT began to show signs of life as several local property owners renovated key historical Overview buildings under the Federal Historical Preservation Tax Credit Program. The The Downtown area is the historic center restoration of the Opera House was of the City and the government center for completed with Federal and State grants, the City and Yolo County. Key to the and the Yolo County Courthouse facade success of the Downtown area is the was completely refurbished with State and ability of the community to enhance the local funds. A new innovatively designed economic viability of the Downtown. County Administration Building was Some of this enhancement will come from constructed downtown as was a new Daily the growth in population expected in the Democrat newspaper building and a City. Other enhancements need to come recreation of the Northern Electric Railway from public/private development Depot. The community showed its opportunities, better use of existing appreciation for historical preservation and facilities (especially upper floor space), civic improvements by approving a bond making better use of the historic nature of measure which financed a major the Downtown, and better integration of renovation and expansion of the the County’s offices and staff into the Woodland Public Library. Downtown area. Public appreciation and support for the As the Downtown is the core of the renewal of Downtown Woodland was Redevelopment Project Area, the City will gaining in popularity as the 1980s came to continue to focus significant a close. The Woodland Downtown redevelopment efforts in the Downtown. Improvement Association, Inc., became The economics of redevelopment require actively involved in mobilizing political significant financial commitments from support for a second try at a both the public and private sectors. The redevelopment plan and for developing a provision of convenient parking for both community-shaped "Downtown Specific employees and customers remains a high Plan." The Woodland Redevelopment priority for City redevelopment efforts. Agency adopted a redevelopment plan in The addition of new offices and residential 1989. uses in the second and third floors of existing structures will make good use of The Redevelopment Agency has been one of Downtown’s significant, untapped active in several key projects in the resources. The upgrading of existing Downtown. They assisted in the buildings, as well as the construction of renovation of the Hotel Woodland, a new buildings, coupled with the centerpiece in the Downtown. The continuing beautification efforts will Redevelopment Agency is also working to strengthen the ability of Downtown to revitalize the Porter Building and Capitol attract new specialty retailing, restaurants Hotel. and entertainment uses. Redevelopment of the Gateway Master Plan area at the east end of the Downtown will help to strengthen the economic vitality of downtown through the addition of a mixture of office, retail, March 18, 2003 Page 2-3 2. Planning Context business park, civic, and residential uses. fairly strong in Woodland as The revitalization of this area will provide measured by per capita sales. the stimulus needed over the long term to § The analysis shows underperformance join the Downtown’s core area with the in eating and drinking places eastern end. (restaurants), as well as in the other retail category (specialty shops), There are other efforts underway to furniture, and apparel stores. The enhance the business climate Downtown. City has some downtown niche retail The Woodland Downtown Improvement in antiques stores and furniture. Association has been active in supporting existing businesses and promoting § Forecasted growth in Woodland over improvements and business growth the next 20 years of almost 7,700 Downtown. The Woodland Economic households would support Renaissance Corporation (WERC), the approximately 1.1 million square feet local economic development corporation, of additional retail space. Currently, also actively promotes business and about 460,000 square feet of future economic growth in Woodland. In retail space is identified as either in cooperation with the City, WERC and Bay the planning process or under Area Economics (BAE) prepared an construction. Economic Development Strategic Plan for § Currently, the City is experiencing the City in 2002. This plan establishes an relatively