Council divided on timing and vision for Bliss Avenue RFP

After staff presented the sounding memo and market findings, council members debated whether to issue an RFP immediately or spend more time on visioning and coordination.

One council member said the market signals that the council will not get the vision it desires now and suggested lowering expectations or waiting for better timing. Another member asked for a full conversation with adjacent private property owners to create a coherent corridor plan rather than parcel-by-parcel decisions. Concerns included the Railroad Avenue Specific Plan's ground-floor commercial requirement and how the Surplus Lands Act might limit options for non-housing uses.

Council consensus at the meeting was to seek more visuals and continue the discussion at a future session; no vote to proceed with an RFP was taken. Staff acknowledged the time constraints on that night's agenda and committed to returning with additional materials to aid decision-making.