November 2015
 Breaking news! City launches new website
Walnut Creek’s new website debuted today with one goal in mind: to make it easy to find the information you want on your City’s website. Take a look, and tell us how we did – can you find what you are looking for? If not, let us know! The website will always be a work in progress, evolving as information changes, and feedback from our users is how we continue to improve. Send your comments to CMUpdate@walnut-creek.org.
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 Getting ready to go solar at Heather Farm, Boundary Oak
Carports with photovoltaic roofs are coming to Heather Farm
Park and Boundary Oak Golf Course. In
addition to providing shaded parking, these carports represent millions of
dollars in energy savings for the City, as well as significant greenhouse gas
reductions, all at no upfront cost. Here’s how: Walnut Creek is one of 19
public agencies comprising the Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Project
(R-REP), the largest local government procurement of solar energy in the
nation. Using economies of scale and shared technical advisers, R-REP brings
renewable energy projects into reach. In Walnut Creek’s case, vendor SunEdison
will install, operate and maintain the solar power systems, and the City will
purchase the systems’ generated energy. The solar projects will be built early next year, and are expected to save
the City about $3.8 million over 20 years.
Proposed Tice Valley development would be "farm to table"
A proposal by Pulte Homes to build up to 53
single-family homes on 5.28 acres next to the Tice Valley Community Gym will be
heard by the Planning Commission on November 12, and the City Council on
December 15. A unique component to the “Trellis” project is the integration of
urban farming. Urban farming company Farmscape is contracting with Pulte Homes
to design, install and maintain edible gardens throughout the property; residents would have the option to
work in the gardens with Farmscape staff or simply enjoy the fresh produce.
Information about the project is available online.
Broadway Plaza gets ready for the holidays
Just in time for the holidays, Broadway Plaza is set to open stores in two new buildings, hundreds of new parking places in a portion of
the South Broadway garage by Macy’s, and Broadway Plaza Street. Two events on
November 20 mark the occasion. A “Broadway Plaza Transformation Celebration”
from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will include early morning breakfast treats, live
entertainment and Macy’s reopening ribbon-cutting. A “Family Holiday
Celebration” will take place from 6-8 p.m., featuring live entertainment,
kid-friendly activities, and milk and cookies in honor of Saint Nick. The final
grand opening will take place in May 2016, with additional stores
and completion of the South Broadway garage. More information about Broadway Plaza's plan is available on its website.
 Transportation Planner Jeremy Lochirco
 Transportation Planner Jeremy Lochirco with the downtown Free Trolley. The downtown trolley has the highest ridership of all County Connection bus routes. The City covers the fares as a strategy for encouraging ridership.
Jeremy Lochirco’s mission is to make it easier for people to get around Walnut Creek, whether driving, biking, walking or taking mass transit.
A senior planner with the Community and Economic Development Department, Jeremy coordinated the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan, and is currently working on a Pedestrian Master Plan. He manages Walnut Creek’s Crossing Guard program and the Commute Alternative Program for employees, and is the staff representative for Walnut Creek on a number of regional transportation agencies.
In addition to reducing traffic, supporting multiple modes of transportation is an important part of the City’s Climate Action Plan; after all, every driver who decides to walk, bike or ride mass transit means one less car on the road.
Recent success stories include the launch of two additional free bus routes – Route 5, which connects the Creekside neighborhood with BART, and Route 7, which connects the Shadelands Business Park and Woodlands neighborhood with Pleasant Hill BART. “Routes 7 and 5 have been an enormous success, with ridership increases of 400 percent in one year,” says Jeremy.
The buses are managed by the County Connection; Walnut Creek covers the fares for Route 5, while the Shadelands Business Improvement District does the same for Route 7.
Jeremy divides his time between transportation and current planning. Among his more recent projects are the Lyric development, under construction next to the Lesher Center garage, and the proposed Trellis project, which includes 53 homes on the former Jewish Community Center site. (see related News Item in this Update)
The variety of his work suits him, says Jeremy. “I never have the same day twice,” he says. “I love helping to make a better city in this capacity.”
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Honoring our veterans
Please join us in honoring
our veterans at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J.
Frankel will be the keynote speaker; the Walnut Creek Concert Band will play patriotic music as part of the ceremony. The free event takes place at the Lesher
Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive.
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Lace up those skates! Walnut Creek on Ice
Civic Park becomes a Winter Wonderland with the return of
Walnut Creek on Ice. Learn to skate at the Ice Skating Academy, schedule a
special birthday party, or just enjoy special skate time. A family of four can skate for $30. For more information visit www.iceskatewalnutcreek.com or
call 925-935-7699.
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Walnut Creek Concert Band Holiday Concert
Get into the spirit of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. with the Walnut Creek Concert Band's Holiday Concert. The program includes a special gift to the Walnut Creek community - the West
Coast Premiere of James Beckel's Concerto
for Trombone with the composer as soloist. Tickets are available at the Lesher Center for the Arts.
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