Revitalizing Rivertown
A Review of the Antioch Urban Outing
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Revitalizing Rivertown A Review of the Antioch Urban Outing |
Greenbelt Alliance * The Newswire
Volume 1, November 2002
For most of the history of Antioch, the oldest city in Contra Costa County, the San Joaquin River was the focal point of activity. Settlement began in 1849 with the discovery of coal nearby. Industry in hay, lumber and shipping also attracted residents over time. Upon its incorporation in 1872, Antioch covered just three square miles. Rising Bay Area housing prices drew many new residents, especially in the 1980-2000 time period, and Antioch's population increased 98% while its size increased to about 28 square miles. As the city grew, development shifted away from downtown and the river and toward the surrounding open space and the hills. Today community members in Antioch seek to reinvigorate the historic downtown and reestablish it as the focal point of the community. Panel speakers and Antioch residents explored the specifics of revitalization this past Saturday, November 16, during an Urban Outing hosted by Greenbelt Alliance.
Speakers Rick Carraher, president of the Antioch Rivertown Business Association, and Jeff Eichenfield, Principal of Eichenfield and Associates downtown revitalization consultants, agreed that Antioch should highlight the Rivertown theme to revitalize the downtown. Both agreed that a mix of different types of housing, retail, public gathering spaces (both formal and informal) are crucial elements necessaries for a healthy Antioch downtown.
Eichenfield further stated that in order for downtown Antioch to thrive, it must have strong organization, perhaps in the form of a governing body that oversees long-term planning in the downtown area. He argued that without a planning association to promote the long-term growth of the downtown area, revitalization efforts could fall prey to economic storms.
Carraher agreed that economic stability was one of the challenges that the downtown faces in revitalization efforts. The largest obstacle, said Carraher, is the lack of anchor tenants for large commercial spaces. By helping the Business Association attract such tenants and renovate to support other uses, he hopes to "make Antioch's downtown a place to live, work, shop and enjoy."
Antioch is well on its way to making such a vision a reality. In April 2002, Eden Housing broke ground on an affordable housing project near the downtown area. The future site of the West Rivertown Apartments was one of the walking tour stops. Other stops included the historic El Campanil Theatre, Waldie Plaza, and vacant opportunity sites in downtown. The tour revealed that Antioch has much potential for reclaiming the riverside as its community center.
The Greenbelt Alliance Urban Outings Program strives to realize a vision of a Bay Area of livable communities consisting of well-planned, walkable and diverse neighborhoods connected by good transit and surrounded by protected open space. We bring this vision to community leaders, policy makers, the media and the general public through educational walking tours in Bay Area communities. For more information, check out our Urban Outings section.