Plaza Way

 

Changes underway for Plaza Way!

The boarded up buildings on Lafayette’s historic Plaza Way will soon be undergoing a facelift! In 2012, the City Council approved a special zoning overlay for this block which will allow property owners to fully lease their buildings without having to provide all of the required parking in exchange for bringing in the right tenant mix and upgrading the building facades.

Plaza Way’s long and rich history and old pre-auto era buildings distinguish it from other parts of the downtown. This short street located in the heart of the downtown contains modest buildings of a style reminiscent of California’s pioneer days. The lots on which these buildings sit are substandard in width and area. Access points to the rear of the lots are narrow with just enough room for one car to pass through. The block pre-dates Lafayette’s incorporation by nearly a century; thus little room is provided for automobile parking. The City Council recognized that Plaza Way epitomizes Lafayette’s past and the strict application of modern zoning and parking regulations would eventually destroy its quintessential character.

Handlebar, Squirrels, and Everything in Between

The City has approved an agreement with the property owner of these buildings and they have been renovated (as shown below) and will be occupied by tenants that complement Lafayette Plaza. As part of this transformation, the historical Old Pioneer Store will be restored to its appearance from the 1860’s. This is the first phase of the Plaza Way Overlay. Click here for more information about the vision for this special historic area!  For more information, please contact Sonia Urzua, Assistant Planning Director at (925) 299-3208.