WHAT’S NEXT IN WALNUT CREEK DEVELOPMENT?

DEALS, PROJECTS, AND RUMORS TO KNOW ABOUT

Modern Maturity: Construction of an upscale 174-unit senior community is underway.

As part of the sprawling Orchards development in Shadelands Business Park, work has begun on the new senior living complex Viamonte. When completed in 2020, the amenity-rich development by NCPHS will feature everything from an onsite gourmet restaurant to bocce court, fitness center, pool, spa, and more. Prices for the one and two bedroom floor plans—between 750 to 1,525 square feet—range from $860,000 to $1.6 million.

Upgraded Experiences: Developers meet workforce demands with added amenities.

Savvy commercial real estate developers are catering to demands from the emerging workforce by stepping up onsite amenities. At Walnut Creek’s Cal Plaza, CBRE Global Investors infused $5 million into the office plaza including hi-tech conference rooms, shared workspaces, a catering kitchen, bocce ball, fitness center, public art, and valet parking. So far new tech and healthcare tenants have leased over 25,000-square-feet of office space at the plaza.

See you there?

A substantial new drive-thru CVS Pharmacy opened at Rossmoor Shopping Center. Part of a long overdue makeover, a drive-thru Starbucks is next, followed by redevelopment of the plaza. Black Angus is back. The North Main Street steakhouse reopened with a bang in May. Speaking of beef, the Broderick team launched Batch & Brine, a stylish new Lafayette eatery. Menu highlights include a killer Reuben and duck confit fries. Fish lovers beware! Pacific Catch is here! The seafood house opened at The Agora on South Main. GOT BUZZ? Email us at [email protected].

 

Nothing lasts forever.

Built in 1965, a one-story building on Locust Street, adjacent to The Lyric’s Water Light Public Plaza, is currently under city review for demolition and redevelopment as Heritage on Locust. Plans submitted by Nazeri & Associate Architects call for a new 6,710-square-foot, two-story retail and office building with a ground floor restaurant.  

Food Lovers

The man behind some of the city’s top restaurants is turning out a food hall. On the vacant Locust Street site, that once housed the Veteran’s Hall, developer Brian Hirahara has ambitious plans. Best known for Va de Vi, Sasa, Slice House, and Rooftop, Hirahara’s latest project, The Foundry, turns the 18,368-square-foot parcel — across the street from Century 14 movie theaters — into a community gathering area with dining patio, beer garden, children’s play zone, and turf lawn game area.

Cashing in on Cannabis

Consumers are paying as much as 45 percent in taxes for recreational weed.

Tax revenue from cannabis sales amounted to $34 million in the first quarter, the first round of results since recreational marijuana was legalized in California. Governor Brown had predicted $175 million in the first half of the year, according to the state's Legislative Analyst’s Office. What went wrong? Taxes. Buyers would rather hit up the black market.

What’s Up with Weed in Walnut Creek? Sources tell us members of the city council recently went on a “field trip” to a marijuana dispensary in Oakland, taking a step forward toward learning about weed. After significant community pressure, particularly from Rossmoor residents, the council approved two delivery-only marijuana facilities in Walnut Creek.

Council Race

Four Hopefuls for Two Seats

As of June 1, 2018, three candidates will challenge incumbent Cindy Silva for two open seats on the  Walnut Creek City Council this fall.

CINDY SILVA

Councilmember Cindy Silva, and mayor pro tem, is running for her fourth four-year term on the council. Silva was first elected in 2006, served as mayor in 2010-11, and again in 2012-13. Prior to her election to the city council, Silva served on several commissions and tasks forces, both in governmental and non-profit sectors. One of her greatest accomplishments is the founding of Walnut Creek’s Community Service Day.

IMAN NOVIN

Currently serving his second term on the city’s planning commission, Iman Novin is a principal at the Walnut Creek branch of Novin Development, a real estate development firm. A resident at The Lyric downtown, Novin is on the board of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Trinity Center.

SPENCER DRESS

A Northern California native, Spencer Dress moved to Walnut Creek in 2012. He recently graduated from St. Mary’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and hopes to bring a new, young voice to city government.

MATT FRANCOIS

Land-use attorney Matt Francois served on the city planning commission for eleven consecutive years, from 2007-2018, before entering the city council race. Francois lives in Walnut Creek’s Parkmead neighborhood with his wife and two children.