TO: City Council DATE: May 11, 2026 DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PREPARED BY: Isaac Whippy, City Manager
PRESENTER: Isaac Whippy, City Manager
AGENDA TITLE: Downtown Franklin Plaza / Public Square Visioning and Authorization to Pursue Community Engagement and Grant Funding Opportunities ______________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation regarding conceptual public space and urban greening opportunities at 300 N. Franklin Street and 435 N. Franklin Street; Provide direction to initiate a community engagement and public scoping process; and Authorize staff to identify and pursue grant funding opportunities related to downtown revitalization, placemaking, and public gathering spaces. ________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
As part of the City’s ongoing Downtown Revitalization and Economic Development Strategy outlined in the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan , staff has been evaluating opportunities to activate underutilized properties within the Central Business District (CBD) and create more community-centered public spaces that support residents, visitors, and local businesses.
Two underutilized downtown parcels located along North Franklin Street have emerged as potential opportunities for a coordinated public space and placemaking initiative:
300 N. Franklin Street – Approximately 2,000 square feet 435 N. Franklin Street – Approximately 6,000 square feet Together, these sites present an opportunity to create complementary downtown public spaces that support community gathering, arts and culture, climate resilience, economic vitality, and downtown activation.
Over the past couple of years, the City has invested in downtown activation efforts including murals, flower basket enhancements, public art, beautification projects, special events, and implementation of the Entertainment Zone. These concepts would build upon those efforts while supporting broader goals related to placemaking, urban greening, and quality of life.
Staff is not seeking approval of a final design at this time, but rather direction to begin public engagement, conceptual planning, and grant exploration efforts.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Site 1 – 300 N. Franklin Street
Downtown Civic Plaza Concept
Approximate Size: 2,000 Square Feet
The initial concept for 300 N. Franklin Street is envisioned as a small-scale “Downtown Civic Plaza” designed to serve as a flexible community gathering and activation space within the downtown core.
Potential features may include:
Welcome to Fort Bragg signage and placemaking elements; Outdoor seating and gathering areas;
String lighting and pedestrian-scale ambiance;
Public art and rotating mural opportunities;
Small redwood-inspired performance platform;
Nature-based water feature designed for cooling and ambiance; Native landscaping and coastal planting areas;
ADA-accessible self-cleaning restroom facility;
Decorative permeable paving; and
Flexible space for small performances, community gatherings, and downtown activation activities.
The design vision emphasizes Fort Bragg’s coastal redwood identity through the use of natural materials, warm lighting, native landscaping, public art, and community-centered gathering space. This site is intended to function as a highly visible “downtown anchor” supporting small-scale events, arts and culture, and pedestrian activity.
The proposed concepts and visual renderings were developed with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help illustrate potential ideas, opportunities, and design themes for community discussion purposes. These preliminary concepts are intended to support the public visioning process and do not represent finalized plans or approved designs. Community engagement and public input will ultimately guide the future vision, character, priorities, and direction of the project.
Site 2 – 435 N. Franklin Street
Community Event Space / Urban Green Space Concept
Approximate Size: 6,000 Square Feet
The concept for 435 N. Franklin Street is envisioned as a larger flexible community event and urban greening space that complements the Downtown Civic Plaza while supporting broader downtown programming and climate resilience objectives.
Potential features may include:
Flexible lawn and event space;
Small outdoor performance stage;
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping;
Tree canopy and shaded seating areas;
Rain gardens and bioswales;
Permeable pathways and stormwater-friendly surfaces;
Community gathering and picnic areas;
Outdoor movie nights, markets, and small concerts;
Public art and mural opportunities; and
Nature-based cooling and biodiversity improvements.
This site would provide additional capacity for community programming while creating a greener and more climate-resilient public space within downtown Fort Bragg.
Community Character & Design
A primary objective of both concepts is ensuring they reflect Fort Bragg’s unique coastal identity, history, and character.
Conceptual design themes include:
Redwood-inspired architectural elements;
Natural stone and weathered wood materials;
Coastal-native landscaping;
Warm pedestrian lighting;
Public art celebrating local history and culture; and
Spaces designed to foster community gathering and social connection.
The intent is to create public spaces that feel authentic to Fort Bragg’s small-town coastal character while complementing existing downtown revitalization efforts.
While 300 N. Franklin Street would serve as a primary civic gathering and activation space, additional downtown sites may provide opportunities for complementary urban greening, landscaping, public art, and pedestrian-oriented improvements The proposed Downtown Civic Plaza and Urban Greening concept at 300 N. Franklin Street represents an opportunity to transform an underutilized downtown property into a welcoming, climate-resilient, and community-centered public space that reflects Fort Bragg’s unique coastal character and identity.
Through public engagement, thoughtful design, and strategic pursuit of grant funding, the project has the potential to support downtown revitalization, public gathering opportunities, urban greening objectives, and long-term community vibrancy in the heart of Fort Bragg.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PUBLIC SCOPING
Staff recommends initiating a public engagement and visioning process to ensure the project reflects community priorities and builds broad public support.
Potential outreach efforts may include:
Community surveys;
Public workshops and design concepts;
Stakeholder meetings with downtown businesses and residents; and Online engagement and community feedback opportunities.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to evaluate desired uses, identify opportunities and constraints, and help shape a community-driven vision for the site.
Grant Funding Opportunities
Staff believes the project may align with several state and regional grant opportunities focused on:
Downtown revitalization;
Placemaking and public spaces;
Economic development;
Community gathering infrastructure;
Urban greening; and
Arts and cultural activation.
Potential funding opportunities may include:
California State Parks programs;
Urban Greening Grants;
Coastal Conservancy programs; and
Other downtown revitalization and community placemaking grants.
Many grant programs prioritize projects that demonstrate strong community engagement, activation of underutilized spaces, walkability improvements, and economic revitalization benefits. A multi-site approach may further strengthen competitiveness for grant opportunities related to urban greening, downtown revitalization, and climate-resilient public space improvements by expanding overall public benefit, canopy coverage, and pedestrian connectivity.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant immediate fiscal impact associated with initiating the public engagement and scoping process. Staff anticipates utilizing existing staff resources and pursuing grant funding opportunities for planning and future development activities.
Future fiscal impacts related to design, construction, and maintenance would be brought back to City Council for consideration at a later date.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action to initiate public engagement and project scoping does not constitute a “project” under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as no commitment to physical development is being made at this time.
Any future development proposal would be subject to appropriate environmental review.
CONSISTENCY
This effort supports multiple Strategic Plan 2024-28 priorities, including:
Downtown Revitalization and Economic Development;
Community Engagement and Quality of Life;
Arts, Culture, and Placemaking; and
Enhancing public spaces and community identity.
The project also supports the City’s broader strategy of creating a more vibrant, walkable, and activated downtown environment IMPLEMENTATION/TIMEFRAMES:
Timeline
Milestone
May-Summer 2026
City Council direction; initiation of community engagement and public outreach efforts including surveys, stakeholder meetings, conceptual design development, and preliminary cost estimates Mid-Summer 2026
Preparation and submission of grant applications for planning, placemaking, downtown revitalization, and public space funding opportunities Winter 2026 / Early 2027
Final concept refinement, environmental review, partnership development, and project planning subject to grant funding and community input 2027
Potential phased construction and implementation contingent upon grant funding and City Council direction
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8A
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT