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City consultant outlines Town Center redevelopment priorities, focusing on former Hanks/Grande Foods site
Summary
The City’s Town Center redevelopment consultant presented redevelopment priorities including the former Hanks/Grande Foods property and other key sites, while commissioners pressed for parking solutions and community space considerations.
Peter Brandom introduced John Southgate, the City’s Town Center redevelopment consultant, who described an effort focused on the former Hanks/Grande Foods property acquired by the city in 2025 and other potential redevelopment sites including the Estby gas station and the historic Western States building.
Southgate told commissioners that constraints to redevelopment include funding, market conditions, property demand and timing. Commissioners asked for examples of town-center projects with couplets, and sought clarity on site sizes and activation strategies for alleys and adjacent spaces. Margaret Garza stressed that parking is needed in the Town Center and suggested city-owned or railroad-adjacent lots as possibilities.
Several commissioners emphasized preserving existing community functions on redevelopment sites. Margaret noted that family gatherings at the Grande site should be considered; Cecilia Giron suggested converting some space to a community center. Meeting guest Miguel Espinoza, co-owner of the Western States building, said they receive many requests to use the building "and they need to activate it; they are waiting for the City to help."
