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Community Design + Architecture led the land use analysis and urban design portion of this infill and revitalization study this small historically agricultural industry oriented community in California. The city has been going through a transformation similar to the experience of many agricultural communities. The city was a major food processing hub for surrounding farming activities. However, the export of agricultural and processing jobs to foreign labor markets, technological advances in the processing industry, and expanding Silicon Valley housing and employment needs, are changing the city's economy. In addition, Watsonville faces a diminishing land supply, brought about by the need to preserve surrounding agricultural lands. In order to grow its employment and affordable housing base, the city has to look to opportunities with underutilized and vacant lands within the current city boundaries, which are primarily located in the study area.
CD+A worked with a team of consultants, led by Economic and Planing Systems, to perform a land use, infrastructure, and building inventory to analyze land use and economic relationships, potential market expansion opportunities, and infrastructure and building conditions. Extensive site surveys, economic analyses, and land owner feedback formed the basis for the redevelopment plan. The strategy recommends a multifaceted approach to retain existing manufacturing businesses and ancillary services while accommodating more robust economies. This included identifying vacant and underutilized parcels for potential redevelopment into high-tech and R&D uses, while designating target areas for the continuation of food processing and other agriculturally oriented operations. To strengthen existing residential neighborhoods, which were suffering from the encroachment of industry at the edges, and accommodate new housing, infill strategies included multi-family housing and live-work units to provide transitions into adjacent single-family neighborhoods. Specific site development concepts were developed, including building prototypes, streetscapes, and urban design elements. These were used to inform development feasibility assessments for both the public and private sectors. The plan also includes a phased implementation strategy to lead the city and local property owners and businesses through the revitalization of the area.
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