Potential Future Use of the Rockaway Quarry,the Old Waste Water Treatment Site and Develop of West Sharp Park as a Potential Downtown Area

By Barbara Arietta

The quarry has been at the center of discussion for the past 30 years. We definitely have biological issues in that area, however, I believe that we can develop it wisely, keeping in mind the protection of any sensitive habitat that is there.

Personally, I would love to see that area developed with beautiful architecture, in harmony with the natural landscapes... I have always envisioned that area as a very beautiful "Carmel-like" oceanside village with enchanting shops, and winding tree-lined streets, wandering throughout the flat land and up the hillside, with restaurants offering alfresco dining, art galleries, boutique stores with, perhaps, shingles, Dutch-doors and small paned glass windows, an arts cinema, a 21st Century Library Learning Center, a small civic center, along with mixed residential units, as well as single residential units. What a magnificent "center piece" this could be for our town.

I envision the quarry to be the potential "smart growth downtown" of the 21st century coastal village called Pacifica. And I also see the same winding, tree-lined streets leading to a low-lying 5-star hotel artistically nestled into the north-west end of the quarry's hillside.

I don't want to see any "big boxes" whatsoever! I don't want to see cheap-appearing, homogenized, mediocre, storefronts or rows of boring rectangular buildings showing little or no imagination. I'm all about the beautification of this town and we now have the opportunity to re-build it beautifully with each new building being constructed and/or remodeled I don't want this precious natural area becoming another example of modern, boring "cookie-cutter" buildings. This may be our last opportunity to build a development with a beautiful downtown central plaza worthy of the beautiful natural landscapes that surround it. It truly could be a masterpiece.

What Pacifica should be about, in the years moving forward, is green, sustainable and beautiful, development, with an eye to matching the beauty of the buildings with the beauty of the land and the ocean. I consider that particular area to be a "legacy" property, a potential showcase of nature and architecture in harmony with each other, designed with buildings and creations that would not only complement, but, enhance the magnificent landscape that's already there.

2)WHAT IS MY POSITION ON REUSE OF THE OLD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND/OR DEVELOPING WEST SHARP PARK AS A POTENTIAL DOWNTOWN AREA?

I believe that the entire West Sharp Park commercial area and old wastewater treatment plant should be developed and/or remodeled.

Again, just as in the quarry, at the site of the old waste-water treatment plant, I would like to see, perhaps, a hotel (but a small boutique one here) above street level with recessed plazas, hanging gardens and multi-levels, with street-level shops and restaurants, also offering alfresco dining at the oceanfront. And, if we could fit in a small ocean discovery center somewhere in this mix, how visitor accommodating would that be...All of these elements need to be looked at and played with when figuring out the final design.

However, again, my big requirement is that it be of the most interesting and attractive architectural design in appearance and not cookie cutter, boring and monotonous "big box" buildings. After all, this is the ocean front and we are looking at the magnificent Pacific Ocean in the backdrop. Let's make what we build as provocative and beautiful in that area as what nature has provided itself. Personally, I would like to see shades of Spanish architecture in that area.

As far as a downtown area, my first preference for that would be the quarry, but if and when that would happen nobody knows, so Palmetto is my next best choice and may be our only choice, as the situation develops... What a wonderful area for an "Old Town" there, replete with bars, alfresco restaurants, shops and galleries, similar to what they are offering in other coastal cities.

And if we could continue the enchanting architecture displayed in the design of the current "Kevin's Cottage" building, how very appealing that would be for that area. And let's have awnings. Take a look at Redwood City's restaurants and shops with awnings in their revitalized areas. What a difference it has made...What a fun area that formerly blighted area is to see.