6.A.
2 Presentation Purpose
❏ This is an update from the Economic Development Division on the RiverLine Strategic Plan, also known as the Napa RiverLine Economic Resilience Strategic Plan authorized by the Council on April 2nd, 2024.
❏ The Napa RiverLine Strategic Plan can be characterized as a study that does not formally commit the City to any specific projects, funding, or approvals. Future actions undertaken as described within the Plan will require separate project- level CEQA review and permitting.
Project Team
3 Agenda
❏ Introduction
❏ Project Overview
❏ What is the Napa RiverLine?
❏ Case Study Precedents
❏ Process & Engagement
❏ Project Partners
❏ Strategic Plan Summary
❏ Strategic Plan Goals
❏ Design Direction
❏ Next Steps for Realization
❏ Implementation
4 Community-Led Vision for Napa’s
Riverfront
❏ Born from community engagement and flood control
infrastructure opportunity
❏ Guided by public-private collaboration with a vision to reconnect Napa to the River
❏ Driven by a mission to build resilience, economic
opportunity, and community connection
❏ Built for long-term impact across recreation and
environmental stewardship
5 Policy Alignment
Improving connections to and along to the Napa
River has been a priority for the City:
❏ The General Plan 2040 (2022) includes ~60
goals and policies that support the RiverLine
concept. RiverLine implements the GP.
❏ The Downtown Specific Plan (2012) includes
strategies to better utilize the Napa River to
connect downtown through open space and trails.
❏ The Napa River Parkway Plan (2005) sought to
improve recreational opportunities throughout the
river corridor.
❏ Other past documents include the 2005 Soscol
Corridor/Downtown Riverfront Development &
Design Guidelines and the 2005 Tannery Bend
Development and Design Guidelines.
6 Council Focus Areas
❏ Climate Action
❏ Economic
Resilience
❏ Parks & Community
Space
❏ Community
Engagement
Economic Development Outcomes
❏ Builds economic resilience through
diversifying visitation and building up
the recreation economy driving revenue.
❏ Creates opportunities for business
and property owners along the river to
capture value.
❏ Enhances an open, family-friendly
community amenity.
❏ Leverages flood infrastructure and
trail networks for redevelopment.
❏ Encourages collaboration between
community stakeholders, and private
and public entities.
7 56% of citywide jobs are
located along the river
11 major development sites
470 acres of parks and
open space connectivity
Connects 13,000 residents
Leverages $40 million in
federal floodwall investment
and river trail
8 What is the Napa RiverLine?
The Napa RiverLine aims to create an iconic trail network to better connect and activate the Napa River for the Napa Community. It is along the west-bank of the Napa River and is aligned to the trail proposed by the Flood District’s floodwall. 9 What the Plan is
❏ The Strategic Plan sets a high-level vision and a framework for smaller projects to be completed over multiple years.
❏ Provides conceptual projects to be explored in future phases. ❏ Highlights opportunities for equitable economic development. ❏ Subsequent construction projects will require CEQA review, funding identification, and detailed design and engineering. 10 11
What the Plan is not
❏ It does not change a property’s Land Use as outlined in the General Plan or Zoning District as outlined in the Municipal Code. ❏ It does not include policy changes to building setbacks, building heights, or riparian zone standards that are outlined in the Municipal Code.
❏ It does not commit the City to any specific projects, fundings, or approvals.
❏ It is not a fully engineered, detailed site plan for the entire river. ❏ It is not a construction document. Any future construction would require additional engineering and environmental review.
Case Study Precedents
12 Process & Engagement
❏ The City received a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant of $250,000 for the Strategic Plan in January 2024.
❏ Council approved the grant in April 2024. Staff went to bid and selected SWA as prime and kicked off project in July 2024.
❏ Held a community open house in January 2025 with well over 100 attendees.
❏ Held a workshop with Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in March.
❏ Released three surveys to collect community feedback (138 responses). ❏ Completed the Public Review Draft in July 2025.
13 Key Public Feedback Themes
❏ Enhance recreation access– including walking and biking along the RiverLine trail.
❏ Improve access to the river– including water activities and opportunities to access the water.
❏ Connections to nature– conservation and enjoyment.
❏ Community benefits– including activation, events, and amenities
❏ Initial focus on trail improvements in the Core Area
(Downtown/ Oxbow), including trail amenities like wayfinding, seating, plantings, and trail materials.
14 Project Partners
❏ The Napa RiverLine Advisory Committee is
championing the RiverLine concept from the private and
community side.
❏ A nonprofit is currently being formed to assist with fundraising and implementation, in coordination with Friends of the Napa River. ❏ Seek future private/public partnership opportunities. ❏ A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to inform
project development (including review by City, Napa
County Flood Control, and NVTA staff).
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29 There are possible local, county, and regional funding sources that could be considered for capital projects, ongoing maintenance, and public programming.
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Questions