Why not an Old Towne Downtown in San Ramon

By Jim Brady

Most everyone you meet will tell you that they enjoy the feel of a true down town. San Ramon has the buildable space for a downtown. Help me bring this to San Ramon. Also see my website: http://www.JimBradyforcitycouncil.com

Sacramento's Old Town, Nevada City, Auburn and downtown Truckee are exmaples just a few hours away heading to the Sierra's. San Luis Obispo, Los Olivos and Carpenteria are also examples along the hwy 101 on our central coast.

Old Towne downtowns are attractive and magnetic, people love to gather, shop and visit, buisness' thrives. This is true Americana that provides a the feeling of a Thomas Kincade painting, simply inviting. An Old Towne downtown differ from a Fashion Mall or Galleria, in a word it would be atmosphere.

Modern shopping areas lack this atmoshpere as they typically have vast parking lots in the middle separating shops arranged in a strip around the parking. Dublin Hacienda Crossing has this design. Have you ever shopped at Any Mountain or Borders Books and then decided to have lunch at the Red Tractor or Mimi's. You probably think should I drive or walk across parking lots between literally hundreds of cars. There is certainly no downtown feel in this experience.

Classic downtowns work well because they are based on simplicity. Residents can go from shop to shop with ease. Splitting your small group for 15 minutes, where half crosses the street to shop at alternate stores and in the length of a block or so, easily regroup without even a single cell phone call, imagine that.

San Ramon has a deep history, residents and deserve an Old Towne downtown. Planning for the downtown as expected will take vision, coordination and planning and is worth the effort. Wide side walks with occassional benches, a handful of favorite resturants, ice cream and hat shops, reasanalby priced appearel shops, a barber shop and general store, it's easiy to visualize.

I need your support on November 3rd to bring this vision to San Ramon. Thank you for your time in reading this.

Kind Regards, Jim Brady