Grand Boulevard Initiative Wins Regional Award

The Grand Boulevard Initiative, a collaborative effort of Peninsula cities including San Mateo to improve El Camino Real, has won a regional award, transit officials announced Tuesday.

The initiative -- comprised of 19 cities, counties and agencies -- was recognized for its work as a public-private partnership by the Association of Bay Area Governments, San Mateo County Transit District spokeswoman Christine Dunn said.

The Growing Smarter Together Award was presented in recognition of the unique partnerships at the heart of the initiative.   

Grand Boulevard comprises cities, government agencies and community leaders in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to transform the neighborhoods along El Camino Real into more livable communities that support walking, transit and an improved quality of life, according to Dunn.

Served by BART, Caltrain, SamTrans and VTA, El Camino Real offers an exceptional opportunity for “smart growth,” Dunn said.

Grand Boulevard is working to create neighborhoods around train stations and transit centers that have a mix of housing, shops, business and recreation. These neighborhoods will include open plazas and park that will serve as public gathering place. 

In San Mateo, the initiative focuses on the area to the west of the existing Hillsdale Caltrain station. The San Mateo City Council in April 2011 approved the Final Hillsdale Station Area Plan, which integrates a relocated Transit Center into existing urban and circulation systems and develops strong connections to Bay Meadows Phase II and surrounding neighborhoods, while maintaining the fabric of existing neighborhoods, according to city officials.

The plan proposes relocation of the Hillsdale Caltrain station as well as making improvements, primarily pedestrian and bicycle, along El Camino between 25th and 36th avenues and surrounding streets.

The city of San Mateo also adopted a Bicycle Master Plan on Oct. 17, 2011 that provides a blueprint for making bicycling an integral part of daily life in San Mateo and supports the goals of the San Mateo General Plan, the Sustainable Initiatives Plan and other plans and policies adopted by the city.

The city anticipates starting construction on a pilot streetscape project on El Camino Real between 28th and 31st avenues.

The San Mateo County Transit District staffs the Grand Boulevard Initiative with support from co-sponsors the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and San Mateo Economic Development Association. 

Click here to read more about the initiative.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us