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Resident asks Design Commission to pursue Plaza Saltillo update and alley activation; staff to invite CapMetro and TPW
Summary
Ryan Saunders of the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood asked the commission to add Plaza Saltillo and an alleyway activation pilot to future agendas, citing a CapMetro takeover and event restrictions at the plaza and safety and micro-retail opportunities in alleys; commissioners asked staff to attempt invitations to CapMetro and Transportation & Public Works.
Ryan Saunders, representing the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood contact team, used public comment time to request two future agenda items: an update on Plaza Saltillo and consideration of an alley activation pilot between Willow Street and East Cesar Chavez.
Saunders said CapMetro took back responsibility for Plaza Saltillo in 2018 and that, "since 2024, they haven't allowed any events to happen at the plaza," adding that the plaza will be out of commission for much of next year for light-rail double-tracking work. He asked the commission to seek clarity from CapMetro and consider improvements that could make the plaza a safer, more usable public space when work is complete.
On alley activation, Saunders described opportunities to repurpose the alley for small retail and improved lighting and to address safety concerns: "There's commercial on one side of the alley and residential on the other…there's opportunity for small retail…it would also bring more activity to alley lighting…because there's a lot of nefarious activities that happens in the alley." He flagged practical hurdles such as city requirements for asphalt, maintenance agreements for alternative paving, landlord gates, and trash collection logistics.
Commissioners responded supportively. Commissioner Gallus asked staff to include alley access on a future meeting agenda and recommended inviting staff who handle right-of-way and alley issues; Chair and staff said they would attempt to invite Transportation & Public Works and CapMetro to the next regular meeting (staff cautioned about short lead time but agreed to attempt invitations and to refine agenda posting language). The commission agreed to consider the topic at its next regular meeting, with staff outreach to TPW and CapMetro.
The commission also discussed potential community partners and contacts Saunders had mentioned, including Lauren Stanley and the Technical Advisory Review Panel (TARP), as resources for design standards and maintenance-agreement approaches. Staff said they would coordinate with commissioners on specific posting language and possible presenters.
The commission did not take a formal vote on policy that day but directed staff to pursue invitations and place Plaza Saltillo and alley activation on a future agenda for further discussion.
